Tag Archives: Surah Al-Ma’idah (Chapter 5):introduction

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INTRODUCTION OF CHAPTER AL-MAIDA

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Good to get some idea about the chapter we are going to read…like perspective, geopolitics at the time, struggles of that time and time immemorial ongoing conflicts.

Following link for complete chapter, translated, explained in details:

https://islamicstudies.info/reference.php?sura=5

Useful site for collection of books for reading, listening, downloading books:

https://www.australianislamiclibrary.org/

📜 1. Naming and Significance

  • Al-Ma’idah (Arabic: ٱلْمَائِدَة) translates to “The Table Spread with Food” .
  • The name derives from verses 112–115, where Jesus’ disciples request a heavenly table (spread with food) as a sign from Allah .
  • The title symbolizes a warning against excessive worldly indulgence (like the Christians’ obsession with material sustenance) and emphasizes spiritual purity over materialism .

📅 2. Period of Revelation

  • Medinan Surah: Revealed primarily between 5–7 AH (after Hijra), during the Medinan period .
  • Final Verse (5:3): The iconic verse “This day I have perfected your religion…” was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage (10 AH) at Arafat, marking the completion of Islamic law (Shariah) .

⚖️ 3. Core Themes

I. Divine Law (Shariah) and Covenants

  • Opening Command: “Fulfill all covenants” (5:1) establishes the surah’s focus on upholding divine and social contracts .
  • Legal Framework: Detailed laws on:
  • Dietary Permissions: Permitted grazing livestock (e.g., camels, cattle) and prohibited animals (carnivores, birds of prey) .
  • Pilgrimage Ethics: Hunting restrictions during Ihram (pilgrim sanctity) .
  • Social Conduct: Marriage with People of the Book, inheritance, and justice .

II. Critique of People of the Book

  • Christians: Refuted for deviant beliefs (e.g., Trinity, divinity of Jesus) and neglect of their scripture (Injīl) .
  • Jews: Condemned for scriptural distortion, breaking covenants, and hypocrisy .
  • Muslims Warned: Avoid repeating their errors by prioritizing Shariah over worldly desires .

III. Community Guidance

  • Justice: “Do not let hatred of a people lead you to injustice” (5:8) .
  • Unity: Command to “cooperate in righteousness, not sin” (5:2) .
  • Moral Boundaries: Prohibition of alcohol, gambling, and usury as tools of Satan (5:90–94) .

🧩 4. Structural Flow

SectionVersesFocusCovenants & Lawful Food 1–5 Dietary laws, marriage with People of the Book, completion of religion . Ritual Purity 6–16 Ablution (wudu, tayammum), prayer, justice . Critique of Deviations 17–81 Refutation of Trinity; Jewish/Christian covenant-breaking; hypocrisy . Social Ethics 82–108 Prohibitions on alcohol/gambling; hunting reparations; will testimony . Legacy of Prophets 109–120 Miracles of Jesus; interrogation of false beliefs on Judgment Day .

🔍 5. Unique Features in Tafheem-ul-Quran

  • Holistic Approach: Integrates legal injunctions with moral psychology (e.g., linking dietary laws to spiritual corruption) .
  • Historical Context: Ties verses to events like the exile of Jewish tribes (Banu Nadir) and the Najran Christian delegation .
  • Theological Precision: Systematically dismantles the Trinity using Quranic logic (e.g., 5:73–75) .

🏛️ 6. Relationship to Previous Surahs

  • Surah Al-Nisa (4): Focused on societal laws (family, inheritance); Al-Ma’idah extends this to civilizational ethics .
  • Parallel to Earlier Pair:
  • Al-Baqarah (2) critiqued Jews → Al-Imran (3) addressed Christians.
  • Al-Nisa (4) highlighted Jewish errors → Al-Ma’idah targets Christian deviations .

💎 7. Key Lessons

  1. Shariah as Divine Mercy: Laws on food, contracts, and worship protect societal and spiritual integrity .
  2. Avoid Extremes: Reject both Christian asceticism (unlawful restrictions) and Jewish legal negligence .
  3. Universal Justice: Hatred must never override fairness, even toward enemies .

وَتِلۡكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدۡخِلۡهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ وَذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
“These are the limits set by Allah. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the supreme achievement.”
— Al-Ma’idah 5:119

For the full commentary, explore Tafheem-ul-Quran: Surah Al-Ma’idah .