Surah Al A'raf Notes (27-28)

(27) O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwa (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayatin (devils) Auliya' (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.

Warning against the Lures of Shaytan

Allah warns the Children of Adam against Iblis and his followers, by explaining about his ancient enmity for the father of mankind, Adam peace be upon him. Iblis plotted to have Adam expelled from Paradise, which is the dwelling of comfort, to the dwelling of hardship and fatigue (this life) and caused him to have his private part uncovered, after it had been hidden from him. This, indeed, is indicative of deep hatred (from Shaytan towards Adam and mankind). 

'Abdullah bin Umar narrated: the Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to often recite this supplication in the morning and when the night falls:

اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوَرَاتِي، وَآمِنْ رَوْعاتي، اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمِنْ خَلْفِي، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وعن شمالي، ومن فَوْقِي، وأعوذ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي

“Allahumma-ustur 'awrati wa amin raw'ati. Allahumma-ihfazni min bayni yadaiya wa min khalfi,wa 'an yamini wa 'an shimali,wa min fawqi,wa a'uthu bi'athamatika an ughtala min tahti.”

(O Allah! Cover my errors and reassure me in times of difficulty. O Allah! Protect me from before me, from behind me, from my right, from my left and from above me. I seek refuge with Your greatness from being killed from below me.)

Disbelievers commit Sins and claim that Allah commanded Them to do so!

(28) And when they commit a Fahisha (evil deed, going round the Ka'bah in naked state, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.), they say: "We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us of it." Say: "Nay, Allah never commands of Fahisha. Do you say of Allah what you know not?

The Arabs, with the exception of the Quraysh, used to perform Tawaf naked. They claimed they would not make Tawaf while wearing the clothes that they disobeyed Allah in. As for the Quraysh, known as Al-Hums, they used to perform Tawaf in their regular clothes. Whoever among the Arabs borrowed a garment from one of Al-Hums, he would wear it while in Tawaf. And whoever wore a new garment, would discard it and none would wear it after him on completion of Tawaf. Those who did not have a new garment, or were not given one by Al-Hums, then they would perform Tawaf while naked. Even women would go around in Tawaf while naked, and one of them would cover her sexual organ with something and proclaim, "Today, a part or all of it will appear, but whatever appears from it I do not allow it.'' Women used to perform Tawaf while naked usually at night. This was a practice that the idolators invented on their own, following only their forefathers in this regard. They falsely claimed that what their forefathers did was in fact following the order and legislation of Allah.

Allah does not order Fahsha', but orders Justice and Sincerity

("...Nay, Allah never commands Fahsha'...'') meaning, the practice you indulge in is a despicable sin, and Allah does not command such a thing.

("...Do you say about Allah what you know not...'') that is, do you attribute to Allah statements that you are not certain are true.