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.
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5 - Al-Ma'ida
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Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed during the late 6AH or early 7AH. It is believed that it was revealed after the historic treaty at Hudaybiyah, reached between the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and the Quraysh of Mecca. Apparently, this Surah was revealed to address the problems and issues that arose among the Muslim community as a result of this treaty. In a broader context, this Surah was revealed under the new circumstances, which were quite different from those prevailing in Medina at the time of revelation of earlier Surahs, such as Surah Aal-e-Imran and Surah An-Nisa.
Now, the conditions and circumstances for the newly established Muslim State at Medina had altogether changed. After coming out of the initial shock of the disaster at Uhud, the Muslim State had entered into a phase of consolidation, especially after comprehensively defeating the Quraysh of Mecca at the Battle of the Trench. Another historic triumph was also achieved in the Battle of Khyber. The Muslim State was now militarily and politically a strong power in the region. Resultantly, they were now in a position to consolidate the newly established Muslim State in Medina, without any hindrance or fear. Mosques were being built and Imams (leaders of Prayers) were being appointed in different areas. In fact, the main features of an Islamic Civilization have started to take shape not only in Medina but also in the surrounding areas.
A major development took place in the month of Zi-Qaad of 6AH. The Prophet, along with some 1400 of his companions, started their journey to Mecca for the Pilgrimage (Hajj), but the Quraysh did not allow them to enter Mecca, which was clearly against the norms and traditions of that era. After a series of hectic negotiations, a treaty was reached between the Prophet and the Quraysh. The main clause of this treaty stipulated that Muslims would return to Medina this year, without performing Hajj, and could return next year. This treaty is known as the “Treaty of Hudaybiyah”. Initially, this treaty was seen by many Muslims as a setback, but later on, it emerged as a historic victory for the Prophet and the Muslims.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyah provided the much-needed peace for the Muslims so they could live and worship freely within their territory. Additionally, they were now able to spread the Message of Islam to other countries. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ sent letters to the Kings of Iran and Egypt, as well as the Rulers of the Roman Empire, inviting them to Islam. These were the circumstances under which this Surah was revealed. It was one of the last revealed Surahs; hence, it contains the previous and final guidance on various legal and ethical matters. It also includes guidance on interfaith relations, especially with the Jews and Christians. It is a sort of warning to the Muslims, giving examples of previous nations on how they altered Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Message, warning the Muslims to avoid it.
Surah Al-Ma’idah is a Madni Surah, revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, during late 6AH or early 7 AH. However, it is believed that its 3rd Verse was revealed in Mecca, on the Day of Arafaat, during the farewell pilgrimage. This verse narrates the completion of Islam as the final religion.
It is the 5th Surah of the Quran and appears in Juzz (para) 6 and 7. It seems to be located after Surah An-Nisa and before Surah Al-An’am. Per the order of revelation, it is the 112th Surah, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it falls at number 5.
Surah Al-Ma’idah is one of the most important Surahs of the Quran, as it contains a comprehensive and final guidance on different social, ethical and legal issues, Muslims may come across not only at the time of its revelation but also for the coming generations. The highlights of its significance can be summarized as follows:
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:
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.
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 other with fairness and upholds justice in every aspect of life.
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.
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).
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.
Listening to the recitation of the Quran by an authentic reciter is very important, as it provides us with an opportunity to learn how to pronounce different Quranic words correctly. It is critical as a slight mistake in correct pronunciation may entirely change its meaning. For non-Arabic speakers, the matter becomes even more sensitive, as they might not be able to correctly read the Arabic words of some of the Quranic verses, whereas reading the Quran with Tajweed is crucial. Hence, listening to the recitation of the Quran by an authentic Qari may help us in understanding the correct way of recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Al-Ma’idah.
Sometimes, one may also like to listen to the Quran, instead of reading it oneself. At MuslimandQuran, we have uploaded recitations of the Quran by different renowned reciters (Qaris). You can find and select a Qari per your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You need to download the Mobile Application of the MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Imran.
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Reading the Quran directly on the MuslimandQuran website and mobile application is relatively easy. However, you may sometimes prefer to read it offline, at your convenience. At MuslimandQuran, we provide this facility. You can download Surah Al-Ma’idah in PDF for reading later.
Surah Al-Imran can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:
The meaning of Al-Ma’idah is "The Table Spread with Food". In the context of Surah Al-Ma’idah, it refers to the event of demand by the disciples of the Prophet Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ for the supply of heavenly food, as mentioned in verse 112 of this Surah.
Surah Al-Imran has 120 verses.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation. No specific time is associated with or recommended for its recitation.
Yes, Hadith 45 of Sahih Al-Bukhari mentions the significance of completion and perfection of Islam as the final religion, as narrated in this Surah.
Yes, you can listen to it online on the Mobile Application of MuslimandQuran.