يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعُقُودِۚ أُحِلَّتۡ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ إِلَّا مَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غَيۡرَ مُحِلِّي ٱلصَّيۡدِ وَأَنتُمۡ حُرُمٌۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحۡكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ ١
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo awfoo bialAAuqoodi ohillat lakum baheematu alanAAami illa ma yutla AAalaykum ghayra muhillee alssaydi waantum hurumun inna Allaha yahkumu ma yureedu
O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts. Lawful for you are the animals of grazing livestock except for that which is recited to you [in this Qur'an] - hunting not being permitted while you are in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah ordains what He intends
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُحِلُّواْ شَعَـٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّهۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلۡهَدۡيَ وَلَا ٱلۡقَلَـٰٓئِدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلٗا مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرِضۡوَٰنٗاۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلۡتُمۡ فَٱصۡطَادُواْۚ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ أَن تَعۡتَدُواْۘ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ ٢
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tuhilloo shaAAaira Allahi wala alshshahra alharama wala alhadya wala alqalaida wala ammeena albayta alharama yabtaghoona fadlan min rabbihim waridwanan waitha halaltum faistadoo wala yajrimannakum shanaanu qawmin an saddookum AAani almasjidi alharami an taAAtadoo wataAAawanoo AAala albirri waalttaqwa wala taAAawanoo AAala alithmi waalAAudwani waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi
O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty
حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَٱلۡمَوۡقُوذَةُ وَٱلۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسۡتَقۡسِمُواْ بِٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌۗ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٣
Hurrimat AAalaykumu almaytatu waalddamu walahmu alkhinzeeri wama ohilla lighayri Allahi bihi waalmunkhaniqatu waalmawqoothatu waalmutaraddiyatu waalnnateehatu wama akala alssabuAAu illa ma thakkaytum wama thubiha AAala alnnusubi waan tastaqsimoo bialazlami thalikum fisqun alyawma yaisa allatheena kafaroo min deenikum fala takhshawhum waikhshawni alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum waatmamtu AAalaykum niAAmatee waradeetu lakumu alislama deenan famani idturra fee makhmasatin ghayra mutajanifin liithmin fainna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful
يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمۡۖ قُلۡ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ وَمَا عَلَّمۡتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۖ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّآ أَمۡسَكۡنَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ ٤
Yasaloonaka matha ohilla lahum qul ohilla lakumu alttayyibatu wama AAallamtum mina aljawarihi mukallibeena tuAAallimoonahunna mimma AAallamakumu Allahu fakuloo mimma amsakna AAalaykum waothkuroo isma Allahi AAalayhi waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi
They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah." Indeed, Allah is swift in account
ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُۖ وَطَعَامُ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ حِلّٞ لَّكُمۡ وَطَعَامُكُمۡ حِلّٞ لَّهُمۡۖ وَٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِ وَٱلۡمُحۡصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ إِذَآ ءَاتَيۡتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحۡصِنِينَ غَيۡرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِيٓ أَخۡدَانٖۗ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلۡإِيمَٰنِ فَقَدۡ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُۥ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ ٥
Alyawma ohilla lakumu alttayyibatu wataAAamu allatheena ootoo alkitaba hillun lakum wataAAamukum hillun lahum waalmuhsanatu mina almuminati waalmuhsanatu mina allatheena ootoo alkitaba min qablikum itha ataytumoohunna ojoorahunna muhsineena ghayra musafiheena wala muttakhithee akhdanin waman yakfur bialeemani faqad habita AAamaluhu wahuwa fee alakhirati mina alkhasireena
This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قُمۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغۡسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡمَرَافِقِ وَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِرُءُوسِكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡكَعۡبَيۡنِۚ وَإِن كُنتُمۡ جُنُبٗا فَٱطَّهَّرُواْۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ أَحَدٞ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡغَآئِطِ أَوۡ لَٰمَسۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءٗ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدٗا طَيِّبٗا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُم مِّنۡهُۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجۡعَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡ حَرَجٖ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٦
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha qumtum ila alssalati faighsiloo wujoohakum waaydiyakum ila almarafiqi waimsahoo biruoosikum waarjulakum ila alkaAAbayni wain kuntum junuban faittahharoo wain kuntum marda aw AAala safarin aw jaa ahadun minkum mina alghaiti aw lamastumu alnnisaa falam tajidoo maan fatayammamoo saAAeedan tayyiban faimsahoo biwujoohikum waaydeekum minhu ma yureedu Allahu liyajAAala AAalaykum min harajin walakin yureedu liyutahhirakum waliyutimma niAAmatahu AAalaykum laAAallakum tashkuroona
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful
وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمِيثَٰقَهُ ٱلَّذِي وَاثَقَكُم بِهِۦٓ إِذۡ قُلۡتُمۡ سَمِعۡنَا وَأَطَعۡنَاۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ ٧
Waothkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum wameethaqahu allathee wathaqakum bihi ith qultum samiAAna waataAAna waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha AAaleemun bithati alssudoori
And remember the favor of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, "We hear and we obey"; and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّـٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ ٨
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo koonoo qawwameena lillahi shuhadaa bialqisti wala yajrimannakum shanaanu qawmin AAala alla taAAdiloo iAAdiloo huwa aqrabu lilttaqwa waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha khabeerun bima taAAmaloona
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَأَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ ٩
WaAAada Allahu allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lahum maghfiratun waajrun AAatheemun
Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ ١٠
Waallatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo biayatina olaika ashabu aljaheemi
But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those are the companions of Hellfire
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ هَمَّ قَوۡمٌ أَن يَبۡسُطُوٓاْ إِلَيۡكُمۡ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ فَكَفَّ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ عَنكُمۡۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ١١
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo othkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum ith hamma qawmun an yabsutoo ilaykum aydiyahum fakaffa aydiyahum AAankum waittaqoo Allaha waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almuminoona
O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when a people determined to extend their hands [in aggression] against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and fear Allah. And upon Allah let the believers rely
۞وَلَقَدۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَٰقَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَـٰٓءِيلَ وَبَعَثۡنَا مِنۡهُمُ ٱثۡنَيۡ عَشَرَ نَقِيبٗاۖ وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّي مَعَكُمۡۖ لَئِنۡ أَقَمۡتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَيۡتُمُ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَءَامَنتُم بِرُسُلِي وَعَزَّرۡتُمُوهُمۡ وَأَقۡرَضۡتُمُ ٱللَّهَ قَرۡضًا حَسَنٗا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمۡ وَلَأُدۡخِلَنَّكُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۚ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمۡ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ١٢
Walaqad akhatha Allahu meethaqa banee israeela wabaAAathna minhumu ithnay AAashara naqeeban waqala Allahu innee maAAakum lain aqamtumu alssalata waataytumu alzzakata waamantum birusulee waAAazzartumoohum waaqradtumu Allaha qardan hasanan laokaffiranna AAankum sayyiatikum walaodkhilannakum jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu faman kafara baAAda thalika minkum faqad dalla sawaa alssabeeli
And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, "I am with you. If you establish prayer and give zakah and believe in My messengers and support them and loan Allah a goodly loan, I will surely remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever of you disbelieves after that has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way
فَبِمَا نَقۡضِهِم مِّيثَٰقَهُمۡ لَعَنَّـٰهُمۡ وَجَعَلۡنَا قُلُوبَهُمۡ قَٰسِيَةٗۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلۡكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ وَنَسُواْ حَظّٗا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِۦۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَآئِنَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۖ فَٱعۡفُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَٱصۡفَحۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ١٣
Fabima naqdihim meethaqahum laAAannahum wajaAAalna quloobahum qasiyatan yuharrifoona alkalima AAan mawadiAAihi wanasoo haththan mimma thukkiroo bihi wala tazalu tattaliAAu AAala khainatin minhum illa qaleelan minhum faoAAfu AAanhum waisfah inna Allaha yuhibbu almuhsineena
So for their breaking of the covenant We cursed them and made their hearts hard. They distort words from their [proper] usages and have forgotten a portion of that of which they were reminded. And you will still observe deceit among them, except a few of them. But pardon them and overlook [their misdeeds]. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good
وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰٓ أَخَذۡنَا مِيثَٰقَهُمۡ فَنَسُواْ حَظّٗا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِۦ فَأَغۡرَيۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمُ ٱلۡعَدَاوَةَ وَٱلۡبَغۡضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۚ وَسَوۡفَ يُنَبِّئُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَصۡنَعُونَ ١٤
Wamina allatheena qaloo inna nasara akhathna meethaqahum fanasoo haththan mimma thukkiroo bihi faaghrayna baynahumu alAAadawata waalbaghdaa ila yawmi alqiyamati wasawfa yunabbiohumu Allahu bima kanoo yasnaAAoona
And from those who say, "We are Christians" We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. And Allah is going to inform them about what they used to do
يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ قَدۡ جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمۡ كَثِيرٗا مِّمَّا كُنتُمۡ تُخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٖۚ قَدۡ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٞ وَكِتَٰبٞ مُّبِينٞ ١٥
Ya ahla alkitabi qad jaakum rasooluna yubayyinu lakum katheeran mimma kuntum tukhfoona mina alkitabi wayaAAfoo AAan katheerin qad jaakum mina Allahi noorun wakitabun mubeenun
O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book
Why it was revealed
The opening verses of Surah Al-Maidah were revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage in 10 AH, according to many scholars. The verse 'This day I have perfected for you your religion...' (v. 3) is widely reported to have been revealed on the Day of 'Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage. Some reports state it was revealed on a Friday. The verse regarding hunting and the state of ihram (v. 1-2) was revealed to clarify the rulings of Hajj.
The rulings on lawful foods and marriage to People of the Scripture (v. 5) were revealed to clarify the permissibility of certain foods and marriages, reflecting the community's interactions with Jews and Christians. The verses on wudu and tayammum (v. 6) were revealed to establish the detailed rules of purification, including the alternative of tayammum when water is unavailable.
Historical context
The Farewell Pilgrimage in 10 AH marked the culmination of the Prophet's (ﷺ) mission. The revelation of verse 3 on the perfection of the religion was a momentous declaration. The rulings on contracts, dietary laws, and purification were all part of the comprehensive legal framework of the Medina period. The address to the People of the Scripture reflects the ongoing interactions with Jewish and Christian communities, clarifying points of agreement and difference. The mention of the covenant with the Children of Israel and the Christians serves as both a historical reminder and a theological argument: the original covenants required faith and obedience, and the current generations had deviated, necessitating the final revelation.
Themes of the passage
The passage opens with the command to fulfill all contracts, establishing a foundational principle of Islamic ethics. The dietary laws are introduced: animals of grazing livestock are lawful, except those specified, and hunting is prohibited during ihram. The believers are commanded to respect the rites of Allah, the sacred month, the sacrificial animals, and the safety of those coming to the Sacred House. The prohibition of transgression due to hatred of a people is coupled with the command to cooperate in righteousness and piety, not in sin and aggression.
The detailed list of prohibited foods follows: dead animals, blood, swine flesh, animals dedicated to other than Allah, animals killed by strangling, a violent blow, a head-long fall, goring, or being eaten by a wild animal, and animals sacrificed on stone altars, and the prohibition of divining arrows. The famous verse 'This day I have perfected for you your religion...' declares the completion of the religion, the completion of Allah's favor, and His approval of Islam as the religion.
The exception for forced consumption is noted. The passage then clarifies lawful foods: all good foods are lawful, as is the catch of trained hunting animals. The food of the People of the Scripture is lawful for Muslims, and Muslim food is lawful for them. Marriage to chaste women from the believers and from the People of the Scripture is permitted. The detailed rules of wudu and tayammum follow, establishing the requirements for purification before prayer.
The believers are commanded to remember Allah's favor and covenant, to be persistent witnesses in justice, and to not let hatred prevent them from justice. The promise of forgiveness and great reward is given to believers, and the fate of disbelievers is described. The passage then recalls Allah's covenant with the Children of Israel, their appointment of twelve leaders, and the conditions of the covenant: establishing prayer, giving zakah, believing in messengers, supporting them, and lending Allah a goodly loan.
Their breaking of the covenant led to being cursed and having their hearts hardened; they distort words and forget their covenant. Similarly, the Christians forgot their covenant, leading to animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. The passage ends with the announcement that a messenger has come to the People of the Scripture, clarifying much of what they concealed, and a light and clear Book has come from Allah.
Reading the passage closely
The passage uses a series of direct commands ('fulfill', 'do not violate', 'cooperate', 'fear'), establishing a strong legal and ethical framework. The repetition of 'O you who have believed' (ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo) is characteristic of the Medinan surahs, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility. The list of prohibited foods is exhaustive, covering common practices of pre-Islamic Arabia. The declaration of the perfection of religion is a powerful, emphatic statement, using 'al-yawm' (this day) three times for emphasis.
The verse on wudu and tayammum is a detailed procedural text, providing clear rules for a central ritual. The command to be 'persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice' is a repetition of a key verse from Surah An-Nisa (4:135), emphasizing the centrality of justice. The historical narratives of the Children of Israel and the Christians use the pattern of covenant, transgression, and consequence. The closing verse announces the arrival of the Messenger and the Book as a light and a clear guide, inviting the People of the Scripture to believe.
What the scholars said (tafsir)
Ibn Kathir in 'Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim' emphasizes that the command to 'fulfill contracts' (v. 1) is comprehensive, covering all agreements between individuals, communities, and nations. He explains that the dietary laws in verse 3 were given to purify the believers' bodies and souls, and that the prohibition of blood and swine flesh is categorical. On the verse 'This day I have perfected your religion,' Ibn Kathir reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed that the religion was complete, and that no new rulings would be revealed after this.
Al-Tabari in 'Jami' al-Bayan' provides detailed linguistic and legal commentary on the rules of purification (v. 6), explaining the exact requirements of wudu, the meaning of 'janabah,' and the conditions for tayammum. He also discusses the verse on marriage to People of the Scripture (v. 5), noting that it is permitted, but that some scholars have imposed conditions regarding the book and the practice of the women. Al-Qurtubi in 'Al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Quran' focuses on the legal implications of the dietary laws, the rules of slaughter, and the permissibility of hunting.
He also discusses the concept of 'tayyibat' (good things) in verse 4, explaining that it refers to all lawful, wholesome foods. On verse 8, al-Qurtubi reiterates the command to be just, even when hatred is involved, emphasizing that justice is closer to piety. The historical narrative of the Children of Israel is discussed by Ibn Kathir and al-Tabari, who note the appointment of twelve leaders (naqeeb) to oversee the community's covenant obligations, and the subsequent breaking of the covenant leading to divine punishment.
Imam Ibn Hazm in 'Al-Muhalla' discusses the issue of marriage to People of the Scripture, arguing that the verse permits it without restriction, though other scholars have disagreed.
Living it: spiritual practices
The command to fulfill contracts is the foundation of trustworthiness in Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays' (Sahih al-Bukhari). The practice of wudu (ablution) is a physical and spiritual purification, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'When a Muslim makes wudu, his sins exit from his body' (Sahih Muslim).
The practice of tayammum when water is unavailable is a mercy from Allah, ensuring that purification can still be performed. The command to cooperate in righteousness (v. 2) is the basis for communal acts of charity, da'wah, and social justice. The command to be just witnesses (v. 8) is the basis for truthful testimony in all matters.
Why it matters today
The command to fulfill contracts (v. 1) is the foundation of integrity in all relationships—personal, professional, and international. Muslims are called to uphold their agreements, including treaties, employment contracts, and personal promises. The dietary laws (v. 3) continue to define Muslim identity and practice; the availability of halal food in modern societies is a key concern. The verse on the perfection of religion (v. 3) is a powerful refutation of any claims of new prophethood or major alterations to the faith, affirming that Islam is complete and sufficient.
The command to cooperate in righteousness (v. 2) is a call to collaborative action for good: interfaith cooperation, social justice initiatives, and environmental stewardship. The warning against letting hatred lead to transgression is urgently relevant in contexts of political and sectarian conflict. The rules on wudu and tayammum demonstrate the importance of ritual purity and the mercy of Allah in making things easy. The permission to marry People of the Scripture provides a legal framework for interfaith marriage, though contemporary scholars debate its implications in different contexts.
Practical application
Apply verse 1 by being meticulous in fulfilling all your contracts and promises: ensure you meet deadlines, repay debts, and honor agreements. Apply verse 2 by cooperating with others in projects of goodness—charity, community building, interfaith dialogue, environmental initiatives—and avoid cooperating in any project that involves sin or aggression. Apply verse 6 by maintaining your wudu regularly and knowing the rules of tayammum when water is unavailable. Apply verse 8 by being a just witness in all matters: when you testify, speak truthfully; when you judge, judge fairly; when you mediate, be neutral. Apply verse 11 by remembering Allah's protection in your life—times when you were saved from harm—and placing your trust in Him.
تدبّر
Reflection: Think of a contract or promise you made that you have not yet fulfilled. What is preventing you, and what steps can you take to fulfill it? How does fulfilling our commitments reflect our faith? Challenge: This week, identify one contract or promise you have made—whether formal or informal—and take concrete action to fulfill it. Additionally, engage in one act of cooperation in righteousness: volunteer for a community project, support a charitable initiative, or reconcile two people who are in conflict. Finally, consciously practice justice in a decision or testimony, ensuring you are not swayed by personal bias or hatred.
التالي
Tomorrow, we will continue with the next section of Surah Al-Maidah, verses 16-30, which addresses the guidance of the Quran, the refutation of those who claim divinity for Jesus and Mary, the call to the People of the Scripture, the story of Moses and his people, and the tragic tale of the two sons of Adam, Habil and Qabil.