[Pooya/Ali Commentary 22:32] Sha-a-ir-symbols, signs or marks by which something is known to belong to some particular person or a group of persons. See commentary of al Baqarah: 158 and al Ma-idah: 2. In al Baqarah : 158 Safa and Marwa have been described as the signs of Allah, and in verse 36 of this surah the sacrificial camels have been termed as the symbols of Allah. To respect or honour anything which stimulates the remembrance of Allah, without the intention of worship, is described as the piety of heart. Here it applies to the rites of pilgrimage. The followers of Muhammad and ali Muhammad respect and honour the "banner of Husayn" (alam) because it is the symbol and sign of the sacrifice he offered at Karbala to save the religion of Allah, Islam, from total distortion by Yazid bin Mu-awiyah. The opponents and enemies of the Ahl ul Bayt oppose the "banner of Husayn" to make people forget the "great sacrifice" so that the distortion and deviation introduced by Yazid and other caliphs like him may continue as the real religion preached by the Holy Prophet, otherwise there is nothing contrary to the principles of true Islam in paying respect to the banner of Husayn (alam) as per verses 32 and 36 of this surah. Aqa Mahdi Puya says: To honour and respect the signs of Allah such as (i) kissing the hafr al aswad, (ii) circumambulating round the Ka-bah, (iii) running to and fro between Safa and Marwa, (iv) and pelting stones at the three places in Mina, are, in a way, the worship of Allah, so acts like above should not be confused with idolatrous practices and rituals. As explained in the commentary of verse 5 of al Fatihah to employ ways and means, in contravention to Allah's orders, even to worship Him, is prohibited. When commanded by Him the angels fell prostrate before Adam because compliance with His command is His worship.