سورة المائدة   

Surah Name: Al-Ma'idah Meaning:The Table Spread

  • Revealed at Madinah
  • Completion and Perfection of Islam as Deen (way of life) declared in this Surah.

    With reference to its revelation, it is amongst those Surahs, which were revealed at the end. Part of it was also revealed on the eve of the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet-SW, after which he-SW lived for only about eighty days. Certain Sections were revealed at the time of the Conquest of Makkah, while some on journey to Hudaibiyah. Whereas Surah An-Nisa' discusses mutual relations, dealings and the rights and duties, this Surah lays further emphasis on practising them. The believers are being specifically instructed: "Fulfill your undertakings."

  • Total Number of Rukū / Sections 16
  • Total Number of Āyāt / Parts 120
  • Sūrah / Chapter number 5
  • Rukū / Section 10 contains Āyāt / Parts 11
  • Siparah/ Volume 6 & 7

bismillah

يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ وَاللّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Ya ayyuha a(l)rrasoolu balligh ma onzila ilayka min rabbika wain lam tafAAal famaballaghta risalatahu wa(A)llahu yaAAsimuka mina a(l)nnasi inna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alkafireen(a)

O’ Messenger-SW ! Preach you-SW whatever has been sent down to you-SW from your-SW Rabb-SWT; and if you-SW do it not, then you have not preached His-SWT Message. Allaah-SWT shall protect you-SW from men. Allaah-SWT does not guide a disbelieving people.

(5:67)

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ حَتَّىَ تُقِيمُواْ التَّوْرَاةَ وَالإِنجِيلَ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُم مَّا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Qul ya ahla alkitabi lastum AAala shayin hatta tuqeemoo a(l)ttawrata wa(a)linjeela wama onzila ilaykum min rabbikum walayazeedanna katheeran minhum ma onzila ilayka min rabbika tughyanan wakufran fala tasa AAala alqawmi alkafireen(a)

Say you--SW : O’ People of the Book! You rest not on anything unless you establish the Torah and the Bible and what has now been sent down to you from your Rabb-SWT . And what has been sent down to you-SW will surely increase many of them in contumacy and infidelity; so mourn you-SW not over a disbelieving people.

(5:68)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَالَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالصَّابِؤُونَ وَالنَّصَارَى مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

Inna allatheena amanoo wa(a)llatheena hadoo wa(al)ssabioona wa(al)nnasara manamana bi(A)llahi wa(a)lyawmi alakhiri waAAamila salihan fala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoon(a)

Surely hose who believe and those who are Judaised and the Sabians and the Christians any of who believes in Allaah-SWT and the Last Day and works righteously, no fear shall come on them, nor shall they grieve.

(5:69)

لَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ رُسُلاً كُلَّمَا جَاءهُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا لاَ تَهْوَى أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًا كَذَّبُواْ وَفَرِيقًا يَقْتُلُونَ

Laqad akhathna meethaqa banee israeela waarsalna ilayhim rusulan kullamajaahum rasoolun bima la tahwa anfusuhum fareeqan kaththaboo wafareeqan yaqtuloon(a)

Assuredly did We-SWT take a bond from the Children of Israil and We-SWT sent Messengers-AS to them. Whenever there came to them a- Messenger-AS with what their souls did not like, some of them they belied and some they put to death.

(5:70)

وَحَسِبُواْ أَلاَّ تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ فَعَمُواْ وَصَمُّواْ ثُمَّ تَابَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُواْ وَصَمُّواْ كَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ

Wahasiboo alla takoona fitnatun faAAamoo wasammoo thumma taba Allahu AAalayhim thumma AAamoo wasammoo katheerun minhum wa(A)llahu baseerun bima yaAAmaloon(a)

And they imagined that no harm would come to them; so they blinded and deafened themselves. Thereafter Allaah-SWT relented towards them, then they again blinded and deafened themselves. And Allaah-SWT is Beholder of what they do.

(5:71)

لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّهُ عَلَيهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ

Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha huwa almaseehu ibnu maryama waqala almaseehu ya banee israeela oAAbudoo Allaha rabbee warabbakum innahu man yushrik bi(A)llahi faqad harrama Allahu AAalayhi aljannata wamawahu a(l)nnaru wama li(l)ththalimeena min ansar(in)

Assuredly they have disbelieved who say: Masih-AS son of Maryam-AS is the very god: whereas the Masih-AS had said: O’ Children of Israil: worship Allah-SWT, my Rabb-SWT and your Rabb-SWT; he who joins anything with Allaah-SWT . Allaah-SWT shall surely forbid the Garden to him, and his resort is the Fire: and the wicked shall have no helpers.

(5:72)

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلاَثَةٍ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـهٍ إِلاَّ إِلَـهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُواْ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha thalithu thalathatin wama min ilahin illailahun wahidun wain lam yantahoo AAamma yaqooloona layamassanna allatheena kafaroo minhum AAathabun aleem(un)

Assuredly those have disbelieved who say: 'Allah-SWT is the third of the three, whereas there is no god except the One Allah-SWT . I And if they do not desist from what they say, there shall surely befall those of them who have disbelieved a torment afflictive.

(5:73)

أَفَلاَ يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى اللّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Afala yatooboona ila Allahi wayastaghfiroonahu wa(A)llahu ghafoorun raheem(un)

Why do they not turn towards Allaah-SWT and ask His-SWT Forgiveness? And Allaah-SWT is Forgiving, Merciful.

(5:74)

مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلاَّ رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلاَنِ الطَّعَامَ انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الآيَاتِ ثُمَّ انظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ

Ma almaseehu ibnu maryama illa rasoolun qad khalat min qablihi a(l)rrusulu waommuhu siddeeqatun kana yakulani a(l)ttaAAama onthur kayfa nubayyinu lahumu alayati thumma onthur anna yufakoon(a)

The Masih-AS, son of Maryam-AS, was nothing but a Messenger-AS, surely there passed away Messengers-AS before him, and his mother was a saintly woman; they both ate earthly food. See how We-SWT explain to them Our-SWT evidences. Then see where they are deviating!

(5:75)

قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلاَ نَفْعًا وَاللّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Qul ataAAbudoona min dooni Allahi ma la yamliku lakum darran wala nafAAan wa(A)llahu huwa a(l)ssameeAAu alAAaleem(u)

Say you-SW, do you worship, beside Allah-SWT, what does not avail you in harm or good, whereas it is Allaah-SWT Who-SWT is the Hearing, the Knowing.

(5:76)

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لاَ تَغْلُواْ فِي دِينِكُمْ غَيْرَ الْحَقِّ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ أَهْوَاء قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّواْ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّواْ كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّواْ عَن سَوَاء السَّبِيلِ

Qul ya ahla alkitabi la taghloo fee deenikum ghayra alhaqqi wala tattabiAAoo ahwaa qawmin qad dalloo min qablu waadalloo katheeran wadalloo AAan sawai a(l)ssabeel(i)

Say you-SW: O’ People of the Book! Do not exceed the just bounds in your religion, except with truth, and do not follow the fancies for a people who strayed before and have led many astray and have strayed from the level way.

(5:77)

In The Name of Allah-SWT the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
SECRETS OF REVELATION:

Holy Prophet-SW as well as his-SW miracle. Allaah-SWT addresses him-SW: O’ Messenger-SW the title itself indicates the duties assigned to the Holy Prophet-SW. The duty of a Messenger-AS’s is to convey Allah-SWT's Message to His-SWT people. In response to the conspiracies of the Jews, the invasions of the Makkans and other inimical struggles of the non-believers, Allaah-SWT Commands: "Make known that which has been revealed to you-SW by your-SW Rabb-SWT . At that time the Jews were trying hard to prove Prophet Uzair-AS , and the Christians, Prophet 'lsa-AS as the sons of Allaah-SWT . On the other hand, the Islamic concept of Allah-SWT's Unity was a challenge to innumerable deities of other nations of the world who were busy in worshipping fire, sun and idols, while some even worshipped human beings.

 

At this critical juncture when a small Islamic State was emerging, it was very difficult to decide which enemy to confront before the other. Whether keeping in view the hostilities with the Makkans, should nothing be said which may antagonize the Jew s or Christians? Or even if all of them are ignored, at least the religious rituals of the Caesar and the Choesroes must surely not be taken on for the time being, as they might attack the Islamic State still in its infancy ! Declared Allaah-SWT : 'O’ My-SWT Beloved-SW, It is Allah-SWT's Will to decide the right time and place for proclaiming the Message. You-SW should not worry about it. Just convey to the people what Allaah-SWT reveals to you-SW; because a part left unconveyed will render the entire Message meaningless, as if you-SW have not men the responsibilities of the Prophethood. As for the inevitable hostility of the Jews, the Christians, the Polytheists and all other non-believers the world over, it will be Allaah-SWT to protect you-SW from the antagonists, the One Whose-SWT Message you-SW are conveying.”

 

To this history bears witness that the entire lot of the non-believers together could not bring any harm to the Holy Prophet-SW, and Islam kept on spreading by the day, until he-SW went for Hajjatul-Wida (the Farewell Pilgrimage) also called Hajj-e-Akbar as it happened to be a Friday. His-SW memorable address at this occasion can rightfully be termed as the Manifesto of Humanity. It is indeed a succinct account of human rights, the relations between man and the Creator, this world and the Hereafter, percepts and practices. In short, it comprises the precious gems of wisdom, threaded by the words of the Holy Prophet-SW into a necklace. At the end of this address he-SW said: "O’ People! Have I-SW conveyed the Message rightfully? Everyone replied "Yes indeed you-SW have." The Holy Prophet-SW raised his-SW forefinger to the sky and said thrice. "O’ Allaah-SWT be my-SW witness. and directed that all those present (approximately 124 thousand Companions-RAU) must convey this Message to those who are not. It meant the contemporaries who were not present at Arafat: those parts of the world where the Message of Islam had yet not reached, and those who had yet to come in this world. The Companions-RAU carried out the Holy Prophet-SW’s orders in letter and in spirit.

 

On return from the pilgrimage, the Holy Prophet-SW lived for eighty days or so. However, within quarter of a century after his-SW passing away, his-SW devoted followers touched every corner of the then known world to deliver Allah-SWT's Message. This detail has been given because the Shi’ites claim that these Ayat were revealed when the Holy Prophet-SW was on his-SW way back from the pilgrimage, and he-SW then nominated Hadhrat Ali-RAU  as his-SW Caliph and took an Oath of Allegiance for him-RAU from the Companions-RAU. Ali al Hayr, a famous Shi’ite scholar writes in his Treatise that the Holy Prophet-SW took oath from 25 hundred thousand Companions-RAU one by one. If the process is given three minutes per head, it would take approximately one and a half year whereas the Holy Prophet-SW survived only for about eighty days after the pilgrimage. It is absurd to say that whereas he-SW called upon people to testify that he-SW had conveyed the Message, and made Allaah-SWT the witness, he-SW remembered the issue of caliphate afterwards. Furthermore, no one out of the Companions-RAU objected when swearing allegiance at Hadhrat Abu Bakr-RAU's hand, including Hadhrat 'Ali-RAU Indeed if the aim of this Movement is to undermine the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet-SW. The whole universe, days and nights, springs and autumns bear witness to the outstanding success of his-SW Prophethood. The Holy Prophet-SW had conveyed Allah-SWT's Message to His-SWT people until the Day at 'Arafat when the Ayah announcing the consummation of Din was revealed. So long as the arrogance and denial persist in a people; Allaah-SWT does not bless them with guidance.

 

Let it be clearly known to the Jews and the Christians that neither their precepts nor practices are in accordance with their respective religions. If they are true to their claim they must at least practise the teachings of Torah and the Bible respectively. Both these Books make a mention of the Holy Prophet-SW and the revelation of the Quran and contain clear Commandments to believe in him-SW. Following their own Books leads to believing in the Quran, but they persist in denial. Most of them were already disbelievers due to absence of beliefs and actions, and the denial of the Quran plunged them deeper into disbelief. Consequently, they became more stubborn, both in active rebellion and ideological refusal. So the Holy Prophet-SW need not grieve for such people, as the path of denial is by their own choice and has not been forced on them. Those who believe in the Holy Prophet-SW and acknowledge the truth and principles of Islam, or the Jews who were once given the Torah, or the Sabians who according to scholars worshipped the stars but claimed to be the followers of Prophet Daud-AS  and the Psalms, or the Christians, once given the Bible, all have but one option. And that is to believe in Allaah-SWT and the Day of Judgment, and to believe the way the Holy Prophet-SW asks them to believe. Otherwise even if someone claiming to be a Muslim tries to look for new beliefs there is no doubt in his being misguided.

 

All the three nations mentioned have already denied and altered their own Books. However, if they rectify themselves, correct their beliefs and sincerely follow in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet-SW practically demonstrating their obedience, even today Allah-SWT's Mercy is ready to hold them. And in the Hereafter they shall have no fear of the future nor shall they grieve over their past. They shall attain Allaah-SWT ’s Pleasure. Some deniers of Hadith have tried to prove from these Ayat that the Jews, the Christians, the Sabians and the Hindus etc. who do good deeds while adhering to their respective religions will be forgiven. Ironically, they are oblivious of the fact that they themselves are compromising their own salvation because of this concoction. Such a notion shall drive them out of Islam. Noble precepts and practices apart, real authority is the Holy Prophet-SW without him-SW, neither faith, nor virtue is valid. Both must bear his-SW seal of approval to be acceptable to Allaah-SWT .

 

Covenants were taken from the Bani Israil and often dishonoured by them. Allaah-SWT took oath from them to obey the Prophets-AS and Messengers-AS, but once they were raised and the Prophetic teachings conflicted with their vain desires, they rebelled; some of the Prophets-AS, they denied while the others they ruthlessly slew. Strangely enough they showed no qualms over acting in such a callous manner, rather they considered it to be a great achievement and thought that no one could now stop them from their misconduct. Yet they could not save themselves from Allah-SWT's Grip. Bakht Nasr appeared as a punishment, put many to sword and took the survivors as captives. It was then that they remembered Allaah-SWT and begged for forgiveness. Allah-SWT, the Most Gracious, pardoned them but this wretched nation again turned blind to Allah-SWT's Message and Commands and indulged in the ruthless killings of His-SWT Prophets-AS. They planned the murder of Prophet ‘Isa-AS: rather committed it on their part. Another faction resorted to disbelief by taking him as God and tried to prove that he was worthy of worship against his own teachings to worship Allaah-SWT and obey Him-SWT , as He-SWT is the One Who-SWT provides for them and for him.

 

A person who is born and has to eventually die; who requires food, water, air and nourishment, with a never-ending list of necessities: who needs to sleep, a condition similar to death; can  Rabb-SWT be like this? The fact is that even those who do not require food, such as angels, do not deserve to be worshiped, as they too are Allaah-SWT ’s servants. While the need for food is such that can be seen by everyone. Prophet Isa-AS declared that Allaah-SWT was his Rabb-SWT and also of all those around him. And he made it very clear that whoever will take partners with Allaah-SWT shall never be admitted to Paradise, which is a manifestation of Allah-SWT's Pleasure. The fate of the polytheists shall, however, be Hell, which is a token of Allah-SWT‘s Wrath. To those who indulge in polytheism, no helping hand shall be extended. If they die without repenting, no one shall dare step forward to help them in the Hereafter.

 

It is a blatant denial when they say that Allaah-SWT is one of the three, or three in one: or that Prophet Isa-AS  is Allah-SWT's son, and sometimes take him as the Rabb-SWT . This is total deception: no one save Allaah-SWT has the right to be worshipped. If they do not restrain themselves from such blasphemies and repent, they shall be severely punished. Why don't they turn back to Allaah-SWT and beg for His-SWT Mercy and give up such crooked beliefs? If they do so, Allaah-SWT is Forgiving and Merciful. Now that His-SWT general forgiveness awaits a non-believer to retract and repent, how can His-SWT Mercy neglect the believer when he is repentant and a seeker of His-SWT Guidance: eager to be good, in the hope of His-SWT Mercy and Grace?

 

Prophet Isa-AS is a Messenger of Allaah-SWT and every Messenger-AS  is blessed with miracles as a token of his Prophethood. His birth itself is a miracle. And miracles have also emanated from Prophets prior to him. But does manifestation of miracles make the Prophets worthy of worship? Prophet Isa-AS  himself invited people to worship Allah-SWT, while his illustrious mother was a Siddiqah. She was not a Prophet-AS, for had she been so it would have been announced. The office of Siddiqah she held is the highest for the Aulia: second only to Prophethood. The ultimate Circle of the Sufi Path is the Circle of Siddiqiat. There are a few more Circles, which are actually within it, towards one side. Each Circle on the top engulfs the one below. But Siddiqiat is an Office, and also the leader and the limit of all the Offices of Wilayah.

 

So Hadhrat Maryam-AS was a Siddiqah and see what an elevated rank it is! She had the honour of exchanging word with the angels, displaying Karamah and above all conversing with Allaah-SWT in this temporal existence. With this singular honour, both were human beings for they ate food. Now if only the consumption of food is analyzed, we realize that with this alone hundreds of other needs become inevitable. How clearly have these matters pertaining to Prophet lsa-AS and his mother been explained and yet the Bani Israil persist on the wrong path. Let them know that they may worship anyone they want save Allah-SWT, but none can benefit or save them from a loss, because no deity has any control even over its own gain and loss. Therefore, worship Allah-SWT, as He-SWT is the One Who-SWT rightfully deserves it. And ask of Him-SWT as He-SWT can listen to and is Aware of the condition of every one.

 

O’ People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion to the extent that you start proving creations as God. Whereas on one hand you excel in opposition to an extent that you did not even hesitate to kill the Prophets-AS  mercilessly, on the other you attach such reverence to declare a Prophet-AS  as God. Both the extremes are awful. Religion is synonymous to a perfect balance. Every ritual and custom is not religion, nor can anyone add to or delete from it by his or her personal choice. It is the name of the teachings of Prophets-AS. Whatever is proved by or endorsed by the Prophets-AS is valid, and that which people adopt by their own free will cannot become part of the religion. Such actions are wickedness and Bid'ah, and indeed misguidance. If practised only as a tradition or a ritual it is sin, but if practised with the intention of earning reward, it is Bid'ah, which is not only a sin but also ruins the belief and the faith. So do not follow the trash invented by their fancies just as some of us inspired by the psuedo saints (peers) have adopted different customs. Some of these rituals have the unanimous approval of this international brotherhood of peers like ‘Urs Sharif, which like Giyarween Sharif (both great and minor) has no basis in Shari’ah. On lop of it, these rituals offer the false promises of a better future, and also of Allaah-SWT ’s Pleasure and approval of the Aulia. Therefore, do not follow those who not only went astray themselves, but also misled many and became a source of deluding large number of Allah-SWT's creation.

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