Hunting is prohibited during the Hajj
- O you who have believed, fulfill the pledges. It has been made lawful for you the four-footed livestock except what is recited to you, not permitting hunting while you are in a state of sanctity (Ihram). Indeed, God decrees whatever He wills. (5:1).
Note: The four-footed animal has been made lawful for the people but the hunting has been made unlawful for the pilgrims when they are in state of sanctity during the Hajj.
Violation of rites that God has decreed is sin and transgression
- O you who have believed, do not violate God’s rites, nor the Sacred Month, nor the animal offering, nor the animal garlanding, nor those who are coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and pleasure. And when you have come out of sanctity, then you may hunt. And let not the hatred of a people incite you because they prevented you from the Sacred Masjid, causing you to transgress. Help one another in uprightness and righteousness, and do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear God; indeed, God is severe in retribution(5:2).
Note: It is God who has made what is lawful and what is unlawful for the people as well as what to be done to achieve uprightness and righteousness helping one another, and the believers will not violate the rites: (1) the Sacred Month, (2) the animal to sacrifice, (3) the garlanded ones, (4) inciting the believers with the hatred when they are prevented from the Sacred Masjid, fearing God that they can avoid His severe retribution.
God has given details of what He has made lawful and unlawful in His religion
- Forbidden to you is the dead animal, and the blood, and the meat of the pig, and what has been sacrificed to other than God with it; and the animal which dies from strangling, and the animal which has been beaten to death, and the animal fallen from a height, and the animal gored by another animal, and what the wild animal has attacked except what you have slaughtered, and what has been slaughtered on the altars, and that you divide by arrows of chance – that is an abomination. Today, those who disbelieved have despaired of your religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have chosen submission as a religion for you. So, whoever has been forced by hunger, with no inclination toward sin, then indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful (5:3). They ask you, [O Prophet], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Made lawful for you are the good things, and what you have taught of the hunting animals as trainers, teaching them of what God has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention God’s name upon it, and fear God. Indeed, God is swift in the reckoning (5:4). Today, made lawful for you are the good things; and the food of those who have been given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them, and the chaste women from the believers as well as the chaste women from those who have been given the Scripture from before you, when you have given them their dowries, desiring chastity, not being lewd, nor taking secret lovers. And whoever denies the faith, then certainly his deeds are wasted, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter (5:5).
Note: God has perfected His religion for the believers specifying what He has forbidden and what He has made lawful for the believers. He has only forbidden four types of meat: (1) the dead animal, (2) the blood, (3) the meat of pig and (4) the meat what has been dedicated with it other than God, while He has made lawful all good things and the food of the people of the scripture for the believers and that of the believers of the Quran, and has made it a requirement to mention God’s name upon it when they eat, and the chaste women from the believers and the chaste women from those who have been given the scripture before when they have given them the bridal dowries.
A state of the believers to establish the salat prayer
- O you who have believed, when you have stood up for the salat prayer, then you shall wash your faces and your hands to the elbows, and wipe over your heads and your feet to the ankles. And if you have been impure, then you shall purify. And if you have been ill, or on a journey, or one of you has come from the toilet or has contacted women, and you find no water, then you shall perform dry ablution with clean soil, wiping over your faces and your hands with it. God does not intend to make any difficulty upon you; but He intends to purify you and to complete His blessing upon you that you may appreciate (5:6). And you shall remember God’s blessing upon you, and His covenant which He has bound you with, when you said, “We have heard and we have obeyed.” And you shall fear God. Indeed, God is the Knower of what is in the breasts (5:7).
Note: The salat prayer is special to appreciate God and the believers need to meet certain conditions before establishing the salat prayer, while the conditions are made so simple that they do not miss any prayer where they may have been, and the 4-step preconditions in normal situation are: washing of (1) faces and (2) hands to elbows, and wiping of (3) heads and (4) feet to ankles. However, purification (by bathing) is required followed by sexual contact if not on a journey or no water is found when 2-step tayammum by wiping of faces and hands touching from the clean soil to meet the requirement for remembering God.
Recompense of the righteous and the disbelievers
- O you who have believed, you shall be steadfast for God as witnesses with justice, and let not the hatred of a people incite you from doing justice. Be just; it is nearer to righteousness. And you shall fear God; indeed, God is Cognizant of what you do (5:8). God has promised those who have believed and have done righteous deeds; for them is forgiveness and a great reward (5:9). And those who have disbelieved and have denied our revelations, those are the companions of the Hellfire (5:10).
Note: God has promised for the believers who are witnesses in the justice and have done the righteous deeds a great reward while the disbelievers and who have denied His revelations are companions of the Hellfire.
The believers should only put trust upon God
- O you who have believed, you shall remember God’s blessing upon you; when a people determined to extend their hands toward you, then He restrained their hands from you. And you shall fear God, and upon God let the believers put their trust (5:11).
Note: The believers shall fear God and should put trust upon Him as He has favored them extending people’s hands towards them as well as restraining other’s hands from them and they remember his favor upon them.
God had taken a covenant from Children of Israel
- And certainly, God had taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We have raised twelve patriarchs from them. And God said, “Indeed, I am with you. If you establish the salat prayer, and give the zakat, and believe in My messengers and honor them, and loan a good loan to God, I will surely remove your evil deeds from you, and I will surely admit you into gardens from underneath them rivers flow. But whoever has disbelieved among you after that, then certainly, he has strayed from the right path.” (5:12). Then because of their breaking of their covenant, We have cursed them and have made their hearts hardened. They distort the words from their places and have forgotten a part of what they were reminded of. And you will not cease to discover treachery from them, except a few of them. So you shall pardon them and overlook [them]. Indeed, God loves the good-doers. (5:13). And of those who said, “Indeed, we are Christians,” We have taken their covenant, but they have forgotten a part of what they were reminded of. So We have aroused enmity and hatred between them until the Day of Resurrection. And God will soon inform them of what they had been doing.(5:14).
Note: God had taken a covenant from Children of Israel that if they establish the salat prayer and give the zakah, He will remit their evil deeds and admit them into gardens flowing the rivers underneath them, but they have distorted the word in its places and have forgot a part of what they have been reminded with it. And He had also taken a covenant from those who said they are Christians, while they forgot a part of what they have been reminded with it, and He aroused the enmity and the hatred between themselves till a day of the Resurrection.
God has sent down a light and a clarifying scripture to guide to a straight path
- O People of the scripture, our messenger has certainly come to you to make clear for you much of what you have been concealing from the scripture, and to overlook much. Certainly, there has come to you from God a light and a clarifying scripture (5:15). God guides with it whoever has sought His pleasure to ways of peace, and brings them out of the darknesses into the light by His permission, and guides them to a straight path (5:16). Certainly, those who have disbelieved said, “Indeed, God: He is the Messiah, son of Mary.” Say, “Then who possesses any control against God if He has intended to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother, and whoever is on the earth, all of them?” And to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what is between them. He creates whatever He wills, and God is powerful over everything (5:17).
- And the Jews and the Christians said, “We are God’s children and His beloved.” Say, “Then why does He punish you for your sins? Nay, you are human beings from among those He has created.” He forgives whomever He wills and punishes whomever He wills. And to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the final return (5:18). O people of the scripture, our messenger has certainly come to you to make things clear to you after a gap between the messengers, lest you should say, “There has not come to us any bearer of good news nor any warner.” But now, there has certainly come to you a bearer of good news and a warner. And God is powerful over everything (5:19).
Note: God has sent a messenger to make clear what has been concealed in the previous scripture to bring people to the ways of peace while He guides bringing him out of the darkness into light whoever seeks His pleasure and follows a light and a clarifying scripture being a God’s messenger referring to the Quran, which is also a bearer of good news and a warner that the people of the scripture can reflect to that.
God cursed people of Moses to wander in the earth for 40 years
- And when Moses said to his people, ‘O my people, remember the favor of God upon you when He made prophets among you, and made you kings, and gave you what He did not give to anyone among the people (5:20).O my people, enter the holy land which God has decreed for you, and do not turn back on your heels, lest you turn back as losers.” (5:21). They said, “O Moses, indeed, there is a tyrannical people in it, and indeed, we will never enter it until they leave it. So if they leave it, then certainly, we will enter.” (5:22). Two men from those who feared God—God had favored them both—said, “Enter upon them through the gate; for when you have entered it, you will surely be victors. And upon God put your trust, if you have been believers.” (5:23). They said, “O Moses, we will never ever enter it, so long as they have been in it. So go you and your Lord, then you (both) fight. Indeed, we are sitting right here.” (5:24). He said, “My Lord, indeed I have no control except over myself and my brother, so separate between us and the disobedient people.” (5:25). He said, “Then indeed, it is forbidden to them; for forty years they will wander through the land.” (5:26).
Note: God has blessed the people of Moses making prophets and kings from them but He cursed them to wander 40 years in the earth as they were disobedient to Moses for denying to enter the holy land.
The story of Adam’s two sons
- And recite to them the story of the two sons of Adam in truth. When they both offered a sacrifice, it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. He said, “I will surely kill you.’ He said, ‘God only accepts from the righteous.” (5:27). Even if you have extended your hand toward me to kill me, I am not one to extend my hand toward you to kill you; indeed, I fear God, Lord of the worlds (5:28). Indeed, I wish that you will bear my sin and your sin, so you will be among the companions of the Fire. And that is the recompense of the wrongdoers (5:29). Then his soul prompted him to the killing of his brother, so he killed him and became among the losers (5:30). Then God sent a raven scratching in the earth to show him how to hide his brother’s corpse. He said, ‘Woe to me! Have I been unable to be like this raven and hide my brother’s corpse?’ So he became among the regretful (5:31).
Note: God has cited an example that we can reflect He accepted the offer from whoever has been the righteous not from the unrighteous.
Killing a person is a gross sin
- Because of that, we decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul—unless it be for murder or for corruption in the land—it is as if he has killed all people. And whoever saves one, it is as if he has saved all people. And certainly, Our messengers came to them with clear proofs, yet indeed, many of them after that are surely transgressors in the land (5:32).
Note: Whoever has killed a life has killed all the people while whoever has saved a life has saved all the people.
God has authorized killing of those who fight God and His messenger
- The recompense for those who wage war against God and His messenger and strive to spread corruption in the land is only that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off from opposite sides, or be banished from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world, and for them is a great punishment in the Hereafter (5:33). Except those who have repented before that you empower them, then you know that God is Forgiving, Merciful (5:34).
Note: As a war rule God has authorized the believers to kill, crucify and to banish from the land of those who fight God and His messenger and spread corruption in the earth.
Reward for the believers and punishment for the disbelievers
- O you who have believed, fear God, seek the means of approach to Him, and strive in His path so that you may succeed (5:35). Indeed, those who have disbelieved, if they had all that is in the earth and the like of it with it to ransom themselves with it from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them; and for them is a painful punishment. (5:36). They will wish that they come out of the Fire, while they are not coming out of it; and for them there is an everlasting punishment (5:37).
Note: Those who have believed and have feared God, then they seek the ways and means to Him and strive in His path are the successful ones while those who have disbelieved, if they ransom all what is in the earth for their punishment on a Day of the Judgment will not be accepted from them and they cannot come out of the everlasting punishment in the Hell even they would wish it.
Punishment for thief is to cut hand whether male or female
- And the male thief and the female thief—cut their hands as a recompense for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from God. And God is Mighty, Wise (5:38). Then whoever has repented after his wrongdoing and has reformed, then indeed, God turns to him in forgiveness. Indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful. (5:39). Do you not know that to God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whomever He wills and forgives whomever He wills, and God is powerful over all things(5:40).
Note: The punishment of the thief is to make a cut on their hands instead of cutting off their hands, while if they have repented and have reformed, God turns upon them being Forgiving, Merciful.
Disgrace in the world and a great punishment in the Hereafter for the hypocrites
- O messenger, let not grieve you for those who hasten in disbelief of those who said, “We have believed,” with their mouths, while do not believe by their hearts from those who became Jews, are listeners to falsehood – listeners to other people who do not come to you. They distort the word after its context saying, “If you have been given this, then you shall accept it, while if you are not given it, then you shall beware.” And for whomever God intends his test, then you do not possess power of anything for him against God. Those are the ones God does not intend that He purifies their hearts. For them there is disgrace in the world, while for them there is a great punishment in the Hereafter (5:41). Listeners to falsehood, devourers of the forbidden. So if they come to you, then judge between them or turn away from them. And if you turn away from them, they can never harm you in the least. And if you judge, then judge between them with justice. Indeed, God loves the just.” (5:42).
Note: God has informed His messenger that most Jews are not only disbelievers but also hypocrites – what is in their mouths is not in their hearts. They distort word in its context while they are listeners of falsehood and eaters of the forbidden. However, if he judges between themselves, he will judge with the justice.
God’s system is His revelation as a guidance and a light from the past
- And how can they make you a judge, when they have the Torah, which contains God’s judgment? Then they turn away after that; and those are not believers (5:43). Indeed, we sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted to God judged by it for those who were Jews, as did the rabbis and the scholars, because they were entrusted with the scripture of God, and they were witnesses to it. So do not fear people, but fear Me, and do not sell My revelations for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what God has sent down—then it is they who are the disbelievers. (5:44). And we decreed for them in it: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and wounds get equal retribution. But whoever has given it as charity, then it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what God has sent down—then it is they who are the wrongdoers.(5:45). And we sent Jesus, son of Mary, following in their footsteps, confirming what was before him of the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel, in which was guidance and light, confirming what was before it of the Torah, and a guidance and an admonition for the righteous (5:46). And let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has sent down in it. And whoever does not judge by what God has sent down—then it is they who are the rebellious (5:47). And We sent down to you the Scripture with the truth, confirming what was before it of the Scripture and a guardian over it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their inclinations away from the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have made a law and a clear path. And if God had willed, He would have made you one community; but He wills to test you in what He has given you. So race to good deeds. To God is your return altogether, then He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ (5:48). And judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their inclinations, but beware of them lest they tempt you away from some of what God has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that God only intends to afflict them for some of their sins. And indeed, many of the people are rebellious (5:49).Is it then the judgment of the time of ignorance they seek? And who is better than God in judgment for a people who maintain certainty? (5:50)?
Note: Torah was given to Jewish prophets for its believers to judge what was in it laws and rites and Gospel was given to Jesus confirming what was in his hands for its believers to judge what was in it laws and rites while the rabbis and the priests were entrusted with the scripture, who have sold God’s revelation for a small price even being witnesses. Following the foot step of Jesus Quran was given to Muhammad as guidance and light confirming and consolidating what was in his hands for its believers to judge what is in it laws and rites but most people are disobedient of it.
The believers will not take the Jews and the Christians as allies
- O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies; they are allies to one another. And whoever among you takes them as allies—then indeed, he is one of them. Indeed, God does not guide the wrongdoing people (5:51). And you see those in whose hearts is a disease hastening toward them, saying, ‘We fear that a disaster will strike us.’ So God has decreed that He will bring the victory or a command from Himself, and they will become regretful over what they concealed within themselves (5:52). And those who have believed will say, ‘Are these the ones who swore their strongest oaths by God that they were indeed with you?’ Their deeds have become worthless, and they have become losers (5:53).
Note: God has warned the believers not to take the Jews and the Christians as allies, and those who will do that are the wrongdoers and He will not guide them, while the hypocrites those who have disease in their hearts said that they fear a disaster upon those who are fighting the God’s enemies but when they see the victory from God, then they said they are with the believers but God has made their deeds worthless making them losers.
God and His messenger and the observant believers are allies of the believers
- O you who have believed, whoever among you turns back from his religion—God will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble toward the believers, stern toward the disbelievers, striving in the path of God and not fearing the blame of any critic. That is the grace of God; He grants it to whomever He wills. And God is the Encompasser, the Knower (5:54). Your only ally is God and His Messenger and those who have believed—those who establish the salat prayer and give the zakat, while they bow down (5:55). And whoever takes God and His messenger and those who have believed as allies—then indeed, the party of God will be the victors(5:56).
Note: The believers strive in the cause of God being humble on other believers but stern on the disbelievers, while they establish the salat prayer and give the zakah and they are those who bow down are are the victors being allies of God and His messenger and His believers.
The believers will not take the Jews and the Christians as allies
- O you who have believed, do not take as allies those who take your religion in ridicule and amusement from among those who were given the Scripture before you, and the disbelievers. And fear God, if you have been believers (5:57). And when you have called to the salat prayer, they take it in ridicule and amusement. That is because they are a people who do not understand (5:58). Say, “O People of the Scripture, do you resent us except because we have believed in God, and in what has been sent down to us, and in what has been sent down before, and because most of you are rebellious?” (5:59).
Note: God has warned the believers not to take as allies the Jews and the Christians as well as the disbelievers who ridicule and have fun with their religion being most of them are disobedient and to tell them that you should not hate us for believing in God and in what has been revealed to us and in what has been revealed before ourselves.
God has cursed the hypocrites who have been worse in disbelief
- ay, “Shall I inform you of what is worse than that as a recompense with God? Those whom God has cursed and with whom He has become angry, and of whom He has made apes and pigs, and who have worshipped false deities. Those are worse in position and farther astray from the even path.” (5:60). And when they came to you, they said, ‘We have believed.’ But certainly they entered with disbelief, and certainly they left with it. And God is most knowing of what they had been concealing (5:61). And you see many of them hastening into sin and aggression, and their consuming of what is forbidden. Surely, it has been evil what they have been doing (5:62).
Note: God has warned His prophet not to believe the hypocrites indicating their evil behavior and what they do.
God has cursed the Jews for what they have said about Him
- Why do the rabbis and the priests not forbid them from their uttering of sin and their consuming of what is forbidden? Surely, it has been evil what they have been practicing (5:63). The Jews said, “God’s hand is chained.” Chained are their hands, and they are cursed for what they said. Rather, His hands are stretched out; He spends how He wills. And what has been sent down to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in rebellion and disbelief. And We have cast between them enmity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindle a fire for war, God extinguishes it. And they strive to spread corruption on the earth, and God does not love the corruptors (5:64). And if only the People of the scripture had believed and feared God, We would have expiated from them their misdeeds and admitted them into Gardens of Bliss. (5:65). And if only they had upheld the Torah and the Gospel and what has been sent down to them from their Lord, they would surely have consumed abundance from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them is a moderate community, but many of them—surely, it has been evil what they do (5:66).
Note: If the people of the scripture would hold fast the Torah and the Gospel, and they had believed and had feared God, He would admit them into gardens of the Bliss removing their evil behavior.
Messenger’s duty to convey message even against strong opposition
- O Messenger, convey what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you do not do so, then you have not conveyed His message. And God will protect you from people. Indeed, God does not guide the disbelieving people (5:67). Say, “O People of the Scripture, you are not standing on anything until you uphold the Torah and the Gospel and what has been sent down to you from your Lord.” (5:68). Indeed, those who have believed, and those who have become Jews, and the Sabians, and the Christians—whoever has believed in God and the Last Day and has done righteousness, then no fear will be on them, nor will they grieve(5:69).
Note: The people of the scripture who have not held fast the Torah and Gospel have gained nothing but it is unfortunate that the revelation of the Quran increases rebellion and disbelief among many of them while it has been a requirement for every community to believe in God and the Last Day as well as to do the righteous deeds to be saved.
God had sent many messengers to the Children of Israel
- Certainly, We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We sent messengers to them. Every time a messenger came to them with what their egos did not desire, a group they denied, and a group they killed (5:70). And they thought that there would be no test, so they became blind and became deaf; then God turned to them in forgiveness, yet many of them became blind and became deaf. And God is Seer of what they do (5:71).
Note: God has favored the children of Israel sending many messengers to them but they killed some of them and denied some of them, thus depriving themselves from God’s mercy being blind and deaf.
God has forbidden Paradise for those who associated partner with Him
- And they thought that there would be no test, so they became blind and became deaf; then God turned to them in forgiveness, yet many of them became blind and became deaf. And God is Seer of what they do(5:72). Certainly, those who have disbelieved have said, “Indeed, God is the third of three.” And there is no god except One God. And if they do not refrain from what they say, there will surely afflict those who disbelieve among them a painful retribution (5:73). Will they not then turn to God in repentance and ask His forgiveness? And God is Forgiving, Merciful (5:74). The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; certainly, messengers passed away before him. And his mother was a truthful woman; they both used to eat food. See how We make clear the revelations for them, then see how they are deluded. (5:75). Say, “Do you worship other than God what does not possess power for you any harm, nor any benefit, while God – He is the Hearer, the Knower?” (5:76). Say, “O People of the Scripture, do you not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth, nor follow the desires of a people who went astray before, and misled many, and went astray from the even path?” (5:77).
Note: God has forbidden Paradise for those who have associated partner with Him saying that God is the Messiah, son of Mary and God is a third of trinity unless they have repented and have asked His forgiveness, while Jesus said to Children of Israel to worship God, his Lord and their Lord.
God has cursed those who disbelieved from the Children of Israel
- Cursed were those who disbelieved from among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and had been transgressing (5:78). They had not been forbidding one another from any wrongdoing they committed. Surely, it has been evil what they had been doing (5:79). You see many of them taking those who disbelieve as allies. Surely, it has been evil what their souls have sent forth for them—that God has become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abide eternally (5:80). And if only they had believed in God and the Prophet and what has been sent down to him, they would not have taken them as allies; but many of them are rebellious (5:81).
Note: The Children of Israel who do not forbid one another to do the evil deeds and make allies with those who have disbelieved in God, and if they had believed in God and what has been revealed to the prophet, they would not be the disobedient.
Christians were nearer to the believers than the Jews and the idolaters
- You will surely find that the people strongest in enmity to those who have believed are the Jews and those who have associated partner(s); and surely, you will find nearest of them in friendship to those who have believed are those who said, “We are indeed Christians.” That is of that among them there are priests and monks, and they do not be arrogant (5:82). And when they have listened to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they recognized of the truth. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so record us with the witnesses.” (5:83). And why should we not believe in God and what has come to us of the truth, while we hope that our Lord will admit us with the righteous people (5:84). So God has rewarded them for what they said: Gardens from beneath which rivers flow, as dwellers therein forever. And that is the recompense of the good-doers (5:85). And those who have believed and denied Our revelations—those are the companions of the Hellfire (5:86).
Note: The Christians were more open to hear and accept the message given to the prophet and those who had believed from them will admit into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath while those who had disbelieved and had denied in God’s revelation are companions of the Hellfire.
God is only One who has made things lawful and unlawful
- O you who have believed, do not forbid the good things that God has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Indeed, God does not love the transgressors (5:87). And eat of what God has provided you as lawful and good. And fear God, in whom you are believers (5:88).
Note: The believers shall fear God and shall eat what is good for them and what He has made lawful while they do not forbid good things. Thus, what God made lawful and unlawful for the believers has done through revelation of Quran in 13 B.H. (Before Hijra) i.e., about 1455 years ago.
Expiation for violation of oath swearing by God
- God will not call you to account for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will call you to account for the oaths you have bound. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of what you feed your families, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck. And whoever does not find the means—then a fasting of three days. That is the expiation of your oaths when you have sworn. And keep your oaths. Thus God makes clear to you His revelations that you may appreciate (5:89).
Note: Expiation for violation of oath with God is feeding or clothing ten needy people, or freeing a slave or fasting of three days when a slave is not found. Thus, God has made room for us that we can fulfill our obligation.
The Satan causes animosity and hatred through intoxication and gambling
- O you who have believed, indeed intoxicants, and gambling, and stone altars, and divining arrows are but an abomination from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may succeed (5:90). Satan only intends to cause enmity and hatred between you through intoxicants and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of God and from the salat prayer. Will you then be those who refrain? (5:91).
Note: Intoxication and gambling are prohibited for the believers not to be distracted from remembering God especially the salat prayer, which is a prime practice for God’s remembrance to develop our souls.
Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message
- And obey God and obey the messenger, and beware. But if you have turned away, then know that upon our messenger is only the clarifying conveyance (5:92).
Note: The messenger has no responsibility for those who have turned away from the message except conveying it to the people.
Test of the pilgrims bringing the game within their hands and spears
- It has not been upon those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds any sin in what they have eaten, when they have feared God and have believed and have done the righteous deeds; then they have feared God and have believed, then they have feared God and have done good. And God loves the good-doers (5:93). O you who have believed, God will surely test you with something of the game within reach of your hands and your spears, that God may make evident whoever fears Him in the unseen. So whoever has transgressed after that—then for him is a painful retribution (5:94). O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in a state of pilgrim sanctity. And whoever among you kills it intentionally—then a recompense equivalent to what he killed from the cattle, as judged by two just men among you, an offering reaching the Ka’bah; or an expiation of feeding needy people, or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his matter. God has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns, God will take retribution from him. And God is Almighty, Owner of Retribution (5:95). Permitted for you is the game of the sea and its food as provision for you and for the travelers, while forbidden upon you is the game of the land as long as you are in a state of pilgrim sanctity. And fear God, the One to whom you will be gathered (5:96).
Note: The game of the sea has been made lawful as provision while the game of the land has been made unlawful, but whoever has killed the game of the land, then the expiation for him judging by the two just men – offering an animal from the livestock reaching the Ka’bah or feeding the needy people or an equivalent fasting.
The rites decreed by God related to Hajj
- God has made the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, a standing for people, and the sacred month, and the offering, and the garlands. That is that you may know that God knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and that God is Knower of everything (5:97). Know that God is severe in retribution, and that God is Forgiving, Merciful (5:98).
Note: God has made the Ka’bah as the Sacred House, the Sacred Month in which Hajj can be performed of any of the four sacred months: Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, Safar and Rabi` I, the animal sacrifice and the garlanding of the animal to sacrifice are rites related to Hajj, and the pilgrims should not violate any of these rites decreed by God while He is severe in the punishment.
Quran has all answers while the believers would not be ahead of Quran
- Upon the messenger is only the conveyance; and God knows what you reveal and what you conceal (5:99). Say, “Not equal are the evil and the good, even if the abundance of the evil impresses you. So fear God, O people of understanding, that you may succeed.” (5:100). O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are made clear to you, may distress you. And if you ask about them while the Quran is being sent down, they will be made clear to you. God has pardoned it, and God is Forgiving, Forbearing(5:101). Indeed, a people before you asked them, then they became disbelievers in them (5:102).
Note: The responsibility of the messenger is only the conveyance. The believers would not ask about what are made clear while what they have to ask about would be revealed in the Quran.
God has not made any rites related to different kinds of animals
- God has not made any Bahirah, nor a Saibah, nor a Wasilah, nor a Ham; but those who disbelieve invent falsehood against God, and most of them do not understand (5:103).
Note: The idolaters have invented certain rites with the animals to please their idols.
People have always been unwilling to accept God’s message to guide them
- When it has been said to them, “Come to what God has sent down and to the messenger,” they said, “Our sufficiency is what we have found our forefathers upon it.” What about if it had been that their forefathers were not knowing anything, nor were they guided? (5:104). O you who have believed, upon you is for yourselves. It will not harm you whoever has gone astray when you have been guided. To God is your return of all, then He will inform you of what you have done to accomplish (5:105).
Note: It is a tragedy that people are repellant to God’s guidance claiming that they have sufficiency from their forefathers, while the believers have responsibility for their own souls and those who have gone astray will not harm them.
Testimony on a will is a greater responsibility
- O you who have believed, a testimony between yourselves at the time of the will when the death has approached to one of you, are two just men from you or two others from other than you if you had traveled in the land, then there has befallen you a disaster of the death. You will detain both of them after the salat prayer, then they both will swear by God if you have doubted, “We will not exchange of it for a price even if he has been of a near relative, nor will we conceal a testimony of God. Indeed, we then surely would be with the sinners.” (5:106). But if it is discovered that the two have been guilty of sin, then two others shall stand in their place from among those who had a lawful claim against them—the two closest in relation— and they will swear by God, “Surely, our testimony is truer than their testimony, and we have not transgressed; indeed, we then surely would be among the wrongdoers (5:107). That is more likely that they will give testimony according to its true form, or they would fear that oaths would be refuted after their oaths. And fear God and listen; while God does not guide the rebellious people (5:108).
Note: The two just men will testify a will by swearing God and if these two men are found guilty will be replaced by the other two just men by swearing God being truer than the former two.
No role for the messengers on a day of the Judgment
- The Day God will gather the messengers, then He will say, “What was the response to you?” They said, “There is no knowledge for us; indeed, You are Knower of the unseen.” (5:109).
Note: A day of gathering the messengers will have no role as their duty was only the conveyance while God has collected record for every one of us what we have done in the earthly life.
Jesus was sent to the Children of Israel with clear proofs and many signs
- When God said, “O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I had supported you with the Holy Spirit to speak to the people in the crib and in maturity; and when I had taught you the scripture and the wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you make from the clay like a shape of the bird by My permission, then you breathe into it that it becomes a (live) bird by My permission, and you heal the blind and the leper by My permission; and when you bring forth the dead by My permission; and when I had restrained the Children of Israel from you when you had come to them with the clear proofs, then those who had disbelieved from them said, ‘This is not but a clear magic.’ (5:110). And when I inspired the disciples, “Believe in Me and My messenger,” they said, “We have believed, and bear witness that indeed, we are submitters.” (5:111). When the disciples said, “O Jesus, son of Mary, is your Lord able to send down to us a banquet from heaven?” He said, “Fear God, if you are believers.” (5:112). They said, “We wish to eat from it, and that our hearts may be reassured, and that we may know that you have certainly spoken truth to us, and that we may be among the witnesses over it.” (5:113). Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O God, our Lord, send down to us a banquet from heaven that it may be for us a festival—for the first of us and the last of us—and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.” (5:114). od said, “Indeed, I am sending it down to you; then whoever disbelieves among you after—then I will punish him a punishment with which I do not punish anyone of the people.” (5:115).
Note: Jesus was not but a messenger of God who had come to the Children of Israel with the clear proofs and many signs, while his disciples asked him to send down feast from the heaven and God had sent down it that they had a festival with it. Then He had inspired to his disciples to believe in Him and His messenger, but those who had disbelieved him after that, God had promised a severe punishment for them.
Jesus advocated his disciples to worship God neither himself nor his mother
- And when God said, “O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to people, ‘Take me and my mother as two gods other than God?'” He said, “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I have no right to. If I had said it, then You would have certainly known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, You—You are Knower of the unseen.” (5:116). I have not said to them except what You have commanded me: “Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I have been a witness over them so long as I have been among them; but when You have raised me, You have been the Watcher over them, and You are Witness over everything.” (5:117). If You punish them—then indeed, they are Your servants; and if You forgive them—then indeed You, You are Almighty, Wise.” (5:118).
Note: Jesus or any other messenger cannot save anyone who has associated partners with God on a day of the Judgment, which is a clear indication that the concept of intercession around us is a myth being the satanic trick to make us losers.
On a day of the Judgment the truthful will be in gardens for their truthfulness
- God said, “This is the Day the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. For them are Gardens from beneath which rivers flow, as dwellers therein forever. God has become pleased with them, and they have become pleased with Him. That is the great success.” (5:119). To God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them; and He is Powerful over everything (5:120).
Note: This is the day, God is admitting the truthful ones into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath for abiding therein forever for their truthfulness, which is the great success for them.
Surah al-Maa-idah (The Banquet) is the 112th revelation, which is named according to the word, maa-idatan found in two verses, 5:112 and 5:114 of the surah. It has addressed what God has made lawful for us and what He has made unlawful for us, while He is the only One who can make things lawful and unlawful. He has made lawful all the good things and has also informed us that it has been His system from the past that the believers should judge based on laws and rites given in what has been sent down to them as guidance and light as well as a bearer of good news and warner, while the Quran is a guidance and light confirming and consolidating what was before it. Thus, God has perfected and has completed His religion and blessing upon us through the revelation of this surah mandating Islam being practices of His religion but not Islam as a name of His religion. However, He has revealed the Quran about 1455 (1442 + 13) years ago addressing all disputes as well as perfecting and completing His religion for all of us that the believers should not have any confusion to practice any of His given rites or should not have any dispute about any matter if they study the Quran carefully. It is mention-worthy that only two surahs, surah 9 (revelation order 113) and surah 110 (revelation order 114) were revealed after this surah.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (01/04/2021).