Offerings for others than Allah^-SWT

Dedicating offerings to idols and others save Allah^-SWT would have been justified, if they too had contributed to the process of creation, or had Allah^-SWT sought their assistance in creating things. But this is not so at all. He^-SWT Alone is the Creator, and the entire universe is His^-SWT creation. It is His^-SWT Omnipotence that He^-SWT has created fruit bearing creepers that climb upwards and the higher they go the better is the quality of the fruit, for instance, the grapes. Some of the creepers are spread out on the ground. Were these enjoined to climb, there would have been either no fruit, or its weight would be unbearable for the plant, for example the water melon etc. He^-SWT sprouts the trees from the same soil, which are altogether different from the creepers and also grows the crops.

The soil, the water and the weather are the same, yet the orchards provide evidence of His^-SWT dexterity. Look at the trees laden with olives full of oil and of pomegranates packed with delicious juice. Though some of the fruits look alike yet their flavours and effects are different. And some of them, though they appear dissimilar, yet have similar taste and effect. Then there are seasonal fruits highly beneficial for the human body; all bear witness to His^-SWT Absolute Authority. Can the idols or the Jinn or others worshipped beside Allah^-SWT alter any of these laws of nature? Not at all! Then why should offerings be made in their names? All orchards yielding fruits are there to serve mankind and must be enjoyed but beware that He has put people to trial by making some rich and others poor. If someone owns orchards and fields, he should not forget the have-nots and must share with them some of his riches in the Name of Allah^-SWT . He should not squander away his wealth for pomp and show as Allah^-SWT does not like the prodigal. Just as the fruits have different properties, so is the nature of beneficence showered on every seeker. People cannot be the same but it is imperative that everyone must thank Allah^-SWT for His^-SWT Rewards and abstain from arrogance and pride. The best way to thank Allah^-SWT for His blessings is by sharing them with others.

This Āyah also establishes the law of Zakāt on land yields. The Islamic System of Zakāt is so equitable that it protects the rights of the worker, though the yield depends on the Divine Will. So if someone hits a treasure or a gold/ silver mine, he shall pay one fifth of his fortune in Zakāt. However, the Zakāt on orchard or land yield is one tenth in case of non-irrigated and one twentieth in case of irrigated lands. Similarly one fortieth of earnings from a business or a service is payable in Zakāt because effort put into these professions is much more. Possession of silver less than 52.5 tolas, gold less than 7.5 tolas, goats less than a hundred, and camels less than five are all exempt from Zakāt.

Allah^-SWT is the Creator of all plants and animals. Some of the cattle serve for commutations and carrying loads, while others provide meat and milk. Allah^-SWT has created them all to serve mankind. Man must benefit from these Divine Provisions but must not follow Satan's guidance in utilizing them. It is not befitting at all in the light of the established fact that Satan is man's sworn enemy, whose enmity needs no evidence. He never guides anybody to anything good.

The mammals, which benefit man by providing meat and milk, have generally been divided into eight groups. Of these half belong to the species of sheep and goat, while the rest belong to the category of cows, buffaloes and camels. The idolaters must be asked why do they believe that out of these cattle the male, or the female or the young ones, or the ones still in the wombs of the mammals are forbidden? They must provide some conclusive and logical evidence to prove it rather than mere guess work and conjectures. And if they do have some evidence, they must give out the source of information. Have they received a Revelation, or is it part of the teachings of any Prophet^-AS? They have already denied both these sources. Now has Allah^-SWT spoken to them directly? If this is not the case, then falsely declaring things as forbidden and permissible and taking rituals as worship without any authority is nothing but blasphemy against Allah^-SWT . It must, therefore, be remembered that fabricating lies against Him^-SWT is not only a grave transgression but also a source of misleading mankind. He^-SWT never guides such miscreants who are doomed forever.