Al-Ma'ida (ٱلْمَائِدَة)

Surah Al-Maida (ٱلْمَائدَة) is a Madni Surah located in Juz 6 and 7 of the Holy Quran. It has 16 Rukus, 120 verses, and is the fifth surah of the Holy Quran. The name of this surah literally translates to 'The Feast.' While the surah discusses many subjects, the name Al-Maida has been chosen from the story of Prophet Isa (Jesus) and his followers in verse 112. The followers asked Jesus to ask Allah for a feast or a spread of food from heaven so they could strengthen their belief in His existence. The surah was most likely revealed after the Muslims signed the treaty of Hudaybiyah. This was either at the start of 7 A.H. or at the end of the 6th year after Hijrah. This was a very important treaty for the Muslims, but it might not seem very beneficial at first glance. Surah Al-Maida was partially revealed to resolve the problems of this treaty and guide Muslims about it. 

It is usually estimated that the whole surah was revealed in one discourse. At the time, the condition of the Muslims was different from when Surah An-Nisa and Surah Al-Imran were revealed. The Islamic movement was well underway, and Muslims were free to lead their lives according to their true faith. Before they signed the treaty of Hudaybiyah, Muslims were mostly struggling with attacks from the Quraish. After the treaty, they could peacefully spread the word of Islam. At this time, Surah Maida came down to present the Muslims with more guidance, rulings, and details about the pilgrimage. 

٥ - ٱلْمَائِدَة

5 - Al-Ma'ida

يٰۗاَيُّھَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۗا اَوْفُوْا بِالْعُقُوْدِ۝۰ۥۭ اُحِلَّتْ لَكُمْ بَہِيْمَۃُ الْاَنْعَامِ اِلَّا مَا يُتْلٰى عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَاَنْتُمْ حُرُمٌ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيْدُ۝۱
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo awfoo bialAAuqoodi ohillat lakum baheematu alanAAami illa ma yutla AAalaykum ghayra muhillee alssaydi waantum hurumun inna Allaha yahkumu ma yureedu

English

Ahmed Ali

O YOU WHO believe, fulfil your obligations. Made lawful (as food) for you are animals except those mentioned (here); but unlawful during Pilgrimage is game. God ordains whatsoever He wills.

1

المنزل الثاني

يٰۗاَيُّھَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تُحِلُّوْا شَعَاۗىِٕرَ اللہِ وَلَا الشَّہْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْہَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَاۗىِٕدَ وَلَاۗ اٰۗمِّيْنَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنْ رَّبِّہِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا۝۰ۭ وَاِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوْا۝۰ۭ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَـنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ اَنْ صَدُّوْكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اَنْ تَعْتَدُوْا۝۰ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَي الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰى۝۰۠ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَي الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ۝۰۠ وَاتَّقُوا اللہَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ۝۲
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

English

Ahmed Ali

O you who believe, do not violate the (sanctity of) offerings to God, nor the rites of the holy month, nor sacrificial cattle with garlands (that are brought to the Ka'bah), nor of the people who flock to the Holy House seeking the bounties of their Lord, and His pleasure. Hunt when you have laid aside the robe of the pilgrim. And do not let your hatred of a people who had barred you from the Holy Mosque lead you to aggression. But help one another in goodness and piety, and do not assist in crime and rebellion, and fear God. Surely God is severe in punishment.

2

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَۃُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيْرِ وَمَاۗ اُہِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللہِ بِہٖ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَۃُ وَالْمَوْقُوْذَۃُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَۃُ وَالنَّطِيْحَۃُ وَمَاۗ اَكَلَ السَّبُعُ اِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ۝۰ۣ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَي النُّصُبِ وَاَنْ تَسْـتَقْسِمُوْا بِالْاَزْلَامِ۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ۝۰ۭ اَلْيَوْمَ يَىِٕسَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ دِيْنِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْہُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ۝۰ۭ اَلْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِيْنَكُمْ وَاَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِيْ وَرَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْاِسْلَامَ دِيْنًا۝۰ۭ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِيْ مَخْمَصَۃٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّاِثْمٍ۝۰ۙ فَاِنَّ اللہَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ۝۳
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

English

Ahmed Ali

Forbidden you is carrion and blood, and the flesh of the swine, and whatsoever has been killed in the name of some other than God, and whatever has been strangled, or killed by a blow or a fall, or by goring, or that which has been mauled by wild beasts unless slaughtered while still alive; and that which has been slaughtered at altars is forbidden, and also dividing the meat by casting lots with arrows. All this is sinful. Today the unbelievers have lost every hope of (despoiling) your creed; so do not fear them, fear Me. Today I have perfected your system of belief and bestowed My favours upon you in full, and have chosen submission (al-Islam) as the creed for you. If one of you is driven by hunger (to eat the forbidden) without the evil intent of sinning, then God is forgiving and kind.

3

يَسْـــَٔلُوْنَكَ مَاذَاۗ اُحِلَّ لَہُمْ۝۰ۭ قُلْ اُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبٰتُ۝۰ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُمْ مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِيْنَ تُعَلِّمُوْنَہُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اؙ۝۰ۡفَكُلُوْا مِمَّاۗ اَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللہِ عَلَيْہِ۝۰۠ وَاتَّقُوا اللہَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ سَرِيْعُ الْحِسَابِ۝۴
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

English

Ahmed Ali

They ask you what is lawful for them. Say: "All things are lawful for you that are clean, and what the trained hunting animals take for you as you have trained then, in the light of God's teachings, but read over them the name of God, and fear (straying from the path of) God, for God is swift in the reckoning."

4

اَلْيَوْمَ اُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبٰتُ۝۰ۭ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ۝۰۠ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّہُمْ۝۰ۡوَالْمُحْصَنٰتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنٰتِ وَالْمُحْصَنٰتُ مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ اِذَاۗ اٰتَيْتُمُوْہُنَّ اُجُوْرَہُنَّ مُحْصِنِيْنَ غَيْرَ مُسٰفِحِيْنَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِيْۗ اَخْدَانٍ۝۰ۭ وَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِالْاِيْمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُہٗ۝۰ۡوَہُوَفِي الْاٰخِرَۃِ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِيْنَ۝۵ۧ
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

English

Ahmed Ali

On this day all things that are clean have been made lawful for you; and made lawful for you is the food of the people of the Book, as your food is made lawful for them. And lawful are the chaste Muslim women, and the women of the people of the Book who are chaste, (for marriage) and not fornication or liaison, if you give them their dowries. Useless shall be rendered the acts of those who turn back on their faith, and they will be among the losers in the life to come.

5

يٰۗاَيُّھَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۗا اِذَا قُمْتُمْ اِلَى الصَّلٰوۃِ فَاغْسِلُوْا وُجُوْہَكُمْ وَاَيْدِيَكُمْ اِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوْا بِرُءُوْسِكُمْ وَاَرْجُلَكُمْ اِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ۝۰ۭ وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّہَّرُوْا۝۰ۭ وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ مَّرْضٰۗى اَوْ عَلٰي سَفَرٍ اَوْ جَاۗءَ اَحَدٌ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنَ الْغَاۗىِٕطِ اَوْ لٰمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاۗءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوْا مَاۗءً فَتَيَمَّمُوْا صَعِيْدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوْا بِوُجُوْہِكُمْ وَاَيْدِيْكُمْ مِّنْہُ۝۰ۭ مَا يُرِيْدُ اللہُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَّلٰكِنْ يُّرِيْدُ لِيُطَہِّرَكُمْ وَ لِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَہٗ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝۶
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

English

Ahmed Ali

O believers, when you stand up for the service of prayer wash your faces and hands up to elbows, and also wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of seminal pollution, then bathe and purify yourself well. But in case you are ill or are travelling, or you have satisfied the call of nature, or have slept with a woman, and you cannot find water, then take wholesome dust and pass it over your face and your hands, for God does not wish to impose any hardship on you. He wishes to purify you, and grace you with His favours in full so that you may be grateful.

6

وَاذْكُرُوْا نِعْمَۃَ اللہِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيْثَاقَہُ الَّذِيْ وَاثَقَكُمْ بِہٖۗ۝۰ۙ اِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَاَطَعْنَا۝۰ۡوَاتَّقُوا اللہَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ۝۷
Waothkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum wameethaqahu allathee wathaqakum bihi ith qultum samiAAna waataAAna waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha AAaleemun bithati alssudoori

English

Ahmed Ali

Remember the favours He bestowed on you, and the covenant He cemented with you, when you said: "We have heard and obey." Have fear of God, for He knows the secrets of your heart.

7

يٰۗاَيُّھَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُوْنُوْا قَوّٰمِيْنَ لِلہِ شُہَدَاۗءَ بِالْقِسْطِ۝۰ۡوَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَـنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ عَلٰۗي اَلَّا تَعْدِلُوْا۝۰ۭ اِعْدِلُوْا۝۰ۣ ہُوَاَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰى۝۰ۡوَاتَّقُوا اللہَ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ خَبِيْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ۝۸
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

English

Ahmed Ali

O you who believe, stand up as witnesses for God in all fairness, and do not let the hatred of a people deviate you from justice. Be just: This is closest to piety; and beware of God. Surely God is aware of all you do.

8

وَعَدَ اللہُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ۝۰ۙ لَہُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَّاَجْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ۝۹
WaAAada Allahu allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lahum maghfiratun waajrun AAatheemun

English

Ahmed Ali

God has made a promise of forgiveness and the highest reward to those who believe and perform good deeds.

9

وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَاۗ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَحِيْمِ۝۱۰
Waallatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo biayatina olaika ashabu aljaheemi

English

Ahmed Ali

But those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations are the people of Hell.

10

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Maida

The topics in this chapter include forbidden animals, the missions of previous prophets, and the prohibition of alcohol. Some of the most famous verses in the Quran are also present in this surah; verses 32 and 33 states '"If anyone kills a person, it would be as if he killed the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people." (Verse 32 and 33 of Surah Al-Maida in the holy Quran). The surah touches upon the following subjects: 

Islamic Way of Life – Laws and Regulations 

Surah Maida instructs Muslims about Halal (permissible) and Haram (prohibited), i.e., what Muslims can eat and not eat (verses 3 – 5). It also mentions the rules and regulations for Hajj and what Muslims can and cannot do while in the state of Ihram (verse 94). Surah Maida also informs Muslims about how to perform wudu, ghusal, and tayammum. Sins like gambling and drinking were absolutely prohibited. There is also the ruling for expiation in case of a broken oath. 

Equitable Justice and Fairness 

Al-Maida also emphasizes the importance of justice in Islam. It instructs Muslims to treat their family members with justice (verse 8, 42). Even if we don't like someone, we shouldn't be biased. A true Muslim treats the other with fairness and upholds justice in every aspect of life.  

Admonition and Warning

With Muslims becoming a formidable force in the Arab world, there was also the chance of corruption due to this power. In Surah Al-Maida, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ warns Muslims against this mistake. They were to stay just and not follow the tyranny of the previous rulers. They were also required to stay obedient to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎  alone and follow His Prophet (ﷺ). There were certain prohibitions in place so that Muslims could safeguard themselves from the punishments that fell upon the Christians and Jews. 

Interfaith Relationships – People of the Book 

At the point of Surah Al-Maida's revelation, the Jews had been completely weakened, with their land coming under Muslim rule. In Surah Al-Maida, Muslims are instructed to continue asking the people of the Book to come to the right path, i.e., Islam. At the same time, Allah warns against engaging in needless dialogue about religion without sufficient knowledge. If a Muslim does not know about a religious matter, they shouldn't engage in an argument or discourse with a  non-Muslim. Surah Al-Maida instructs that Muslims may have matrimonial relationships with the people of the Book, as they believe in the oneness of Allah, and that Muslims may also eat with the People of the Book. However, it warns against their duplicitous nature. It also discusses the transgressions of Prophet Isa's followers and the Banu-Israel as a warning to Muslims (verses 12-13, 70-71).  

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Maida

Surah Al-Maida came down at a time when Muslims were properly established as a State and a rapidly growing community. However, we are always in need of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ guidance, and the message was not completed yet. Here are some of the advantages Muslims get when they recite this surah:

  • Seek Forgiveness from Allah - It helps us ask for forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎, as we do not know how many times we've trained in our actions. We might be in a position of power and abuse that status knowingly or unknowingly. The following hadith shows us that reciting Surah Maida, especially this verse, might help us on the Day of Judgment:

Abu Dharr narrated: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed at night, reciting a single verse until morning, by which he would bow and prostrate, "If You punish them, they are Your servants. If You forgive them, you are the Almighty, the Wise," (5:118). When the Prophet awoke in the morning, I said, "O Messenger of Allah, you continued to recite this verse until morning, bowing and prostrating by it." The Prophet said, "Verily, I asked my Lord for the intercession of my nation, and He gave it to me. It will be granted, if Allah wills, to whoever does not associate anything with Allah." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3349). 

  • Foster love in the family – A few chains of weak hadith state that a Muslim who recites Surah Maida's verse 54 might see more care and love established among his family members.

Apart from this, Muslims who recite the Quran receive countless blessings from Allah Azzawajal. Reading the Quran helps us understand and interpret the teachings of Allah and act upon them. May Allah accept our ibadah and guide us to the right path.