Here the immediate reference is to a special group of the heathens who bar the way of Allah and create obstructions in the way of pilgrims to the Sacred Mosque. (KAABEH), the Sacred Mosque in Mecca is made for people equally, whether they be the townsfolk of Mecca or travel there from far distant places as pilgrims.

      Whoever intends profanity, or violates the sanctity of the sacred precinct (HARAM), or oppress the pilgrims, he shall have to taste a painful punishment. Many things are seriously prohibited during the performance of the rites of pilgrimage, such as obscenity, wickedness, wrangling, and any kind of oppression and harm to pilgrims or any creature (S 2:193). Through the pilgrimage, men and women come together from far and near, to share in sacrifice, to perform congregational prayer, and celebrate the praise of God.

      To respect the pilgrims there, is so important that Hazrat Imam Ali ordered his governor not to charge rent of quarter given to the pilgrims. We read in the letter NO.68 of Hazrat Imam Ali's NAHJUL BALAGHA, which he has written to his governor in Mecca, (QUASUM-IBN-ABBASS) that:ِ

      ``Order the citizens of Mecca not to charge rent of the quarters that they give out to pilgrims, because the All-mighty Lord has decreed that; (S 22:25) in this Holy City, the permanent residents and the pilgrims have equal status and right. May God enable us to do things which He approves of, and likes.''