The Holy Quran 8:35 — Surah Al-Anfal

Arabic text

وَمَا كَانَ صَلَاتُهُمْ عِندَ ٱلْبَيْتِ إِلَّا مُكَآءً وَتَصْدِيَةً ۚ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

Translation

Their prayer by the House (Kabah) is merely whistling and clapping (this was what the Mushrikeen of Makkah regarded as worship during the days of ignorance and to disturb the true worshipers). (Addressing them, Allaah says,) "So taste the punishment (defeat and death during the Battle of Badr) because you committed kufr!"

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The prayer of the disbelievers of Makkah and their spending of wealth: that is, they bar the true worshippers from the Mosque, and what is their own prayer? Circling the Kaaba naked, and whistling and clapping in place of the remembrance of Allah — just as even today many nations regard the ringing of bells and the striking of gongs as great worship.

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