Meaning of the verse 189 of Surah Al-Baqarah

Question

What is the meaning of the verse 189 of Surah Al-Baqarah, where it says: "Righteousness is not that you enter houses from their backs"?

Some Arabs in the pre-Islamic period (Jahiliyyah) had a tradition where, during certain times, such as when in a state of Ihram, they would not enter their homes from the front door, but rather from the back. Ihram refers to the state one enters when beginning the rituals of Hajj or Umrah, marked by the wearing of special garments and declaring the pilgrimage intention with the words "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk." The person in this state is considered "muhrim" and must follow specific prohibitions during this time. This tradition was rooted in superstitions, such as seeking to avoid bad omens (known as "taṭīr"). When people faced failure in a task, they would enter through the back as a symbolic gesture of avoiding misfortune. This custom was also practiced by those in Ihram, and although it was often associated with the Ansar, it was prevalent among all Arabs. However, the Quraysh made an exception and would enter their homes from the front door even when in a state of Ihram.

In verse 189 of Surah Al-Baqarah, the Qur'an opposes this custom, deeming it not righteous. God calls people to practice righteousness by cultivating taqwa (God-consciousness), stating that true righteousness lies in fearing God and approaching homes through the proper door. Some scholars have interpreted this verse to suggest that actions should be carried out according to their usual practices, without unnecessarily complicating life by following superstitions or unconventional customs.

Text and Translation of the Verse

﴾وَلَیْسَ الْبِرُّ بِأَنْ تَأْتُوا الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهَا وَلٰکِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقَیٰ وَأْتُوا الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّکُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ؛ Righteousness is not that you enter houses from their backs, but righteousness is in the one who fears God. Enter houses through their doors, and fear Allah so that you may succeed﴿

Occasion of Revelation (Shan-e-Nuzul) of the Verse

During the Jahiliyyah period, people had a tradition where, at certain times, they would not enter homes through the front doors but rather from the back. For example, when they failed at something, they would enter through a hole in the back wall as a sign of misfortune and failure, believing that it would ward off bad omens. This practice was also followed by people in a state of Ihram. Although some traditions suggest that it was specific to the Ansar, other accounts indicate that this was a widespread custom among the Arabs. The Quraysh, however, did not follow this tradition and would enter through the front door even while in Ihram.

It is reported that an individual from the Ansar, returning from Hajj, entered his house through the front door, intending to mock this custom. Upon this, the verse was revealed. Some Sunni sources narrate that this verse was revealed when an Ansari companion named Qutbah bin Amir Al-Ansari, who was with the Prophet (PBUH) during Hajj, entered his house through the front door, and others rebuked him. The Prophet (PBUH) did not rebuke him, as the practice of entering through the back door was not applicable to the Quraysh. The Ansari man justified his action as following the example of the Prophet. This led to the revelation of this verse.

Interpretation of the Verse in Narrations

Following the Proper Procedure in All Actions:

Imam Baqir (A) interpreted this verse to mean that actions should be done according to their usual course: «یَعْنِی أَنْ یَأْتِیَ الْأَمْرُ مِنْ وَجْهِهَا مِنْ أَیِّ الْأُمُورِ کَانَ»

The Ahl al-Bayt (A) as the Divine Doors:

Some Shi'a narrations interpret the phrase "enter houses through their doors" as referring to the Ahl al-Bayt, who are seen as the doors to divine knowledge and salvation.

• Imam Baqir (A) explained that the Ahl al-Bayt are the doors to God: «سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآیَهِ وَ لَیْسَ الْبِرُّ بِأَنْ تَأْتُوا الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ ظُهُورِها وَ لَکِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقی وَ أْتُوا الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوابِها فَقَالَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ أَبْوَابُ اللَّهِ وَ سَبِیلُهُ وَ الدُّعَاهْ إِلَی الْجَنَّهْ وَ الْقَادَهْ إِلَیْهَا وَ الْأَدِلَّاءُ عَلَیْهَا إِلَی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَهْ»
• Imam Baqir (A) further said: «وَ أْتُوا الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوابِها یَعْنِی الْأَئِمَّهْ الَّذِینَ هُمْ بُیُوتُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَعَادِنُهُ وَ هُمْ أَبْوَابُ اللَّهِ وَ وَسِیلَتُهُ وَ الدُّعَاهُ إِلَی الْجَنَّهً وَ الْأَدِّلَّاءُ عَلَیْهَا إِلَی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَهْ»
• Imam Ali (A) said: «نَحْنُ الْبُیُوتُ الَّتِی أَمَرَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُؤْتَی مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا نَحْنُ بَابُ اللَّهِ وَ بُیُوتُهُ الَّتِی یُؤْتَی مِنْهُ فَمَنْ بَایَعَنَا وَ أَقَرَّ بِوَلَایَتِنَا فَقَدْ أَتَی الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِهَا وَ مَنْ خَالَفَنَا وَ فَضَّلَ عَلَیْنَا غَیْرَنَا فَقَدْ أَتَی الْبُیُوتَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهَا»