(Do Not Beat Around the Bush)
They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, “They provide a timing device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj.” It is not righteous to beat around the bush; righteousness is attained by upholding the commandments and by being straightforward. You shall observe God, that you may succeed.
يَسـَٔلونَكَ عَنِ الأَهِلَّةِ قُل هِىَ مَوٰقيتُ لِلنّاسِ وَالحَجِّ وَلَيسَ البِرُّ بِأَن تَأتُوا البُيوتَ مِن ظُهورِها وَلٰكِنَّ البِرَّ مَنِ اتَّقىٰ وَأتُوا البُيوتَ مِن أَبوٰبِها وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُم تُفلِحونَ
yas’aloonaka ‘anil ahillati qul hiya mawaaqeetu linnaasi wal Hajj; wa laisal birru bi an ta’tul buyoota min zuhoorihaa wa laakinnal birra manit taqaa; wa’tul buyoota min abwaa bihaa; wattaqullaaha la’allakum tuflihoon
*2:189 The literal Quranic idiom says: “Do not enter the homes through the back doors.” The question about the phases of the moon is an example of beating around the bush; there were bad ulterior motives behind this question.