Surah al-Mā'idah - The Chapter of Fulfilling Covenants
After Allah informed in the last part of Surah An-Nisa that the Yahūd broke their covenants and were forbidden the good things which had been lawful for them, it is fitting that Surah al-Mā'idah begins with instructing the believers to fulfill their obligations. These obligations primarily reside in the heart, and believers are sternly warned against following the example of those who came before them.
This was the last full Surah revealed, making it a culmination of divine guidance and a comprehensive summary of Islamic law and covenant fulfillment.
The Surah opens with the command: "O you who have believed, fulfill all contracts" - establishing the foundation for everything that follows.
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah describes Surah al-Mā'idah as the most comprehensive Surah in the Qur'ān for gathering the branches of Islamic law relating to what is lawful and forbidden, divine commandments and prohibitions. It contains specific prohibitions and obligations not mentioned elsewhere in the Qur'ān.
Contains nearly twenty laws not found elsewhere in the Qur'ān
Emphasizes fulfilling contracts with Allah, the Messenger, and people
Second only to Surah al-Baqarah in exhorting believers to have Taqwā
Distinguished by the verse declaring the perfection of Islam
Contains sixteen repetitions of "O you who have believed"
Most frequently declares disbelief of Christians and Jews
Most comprehensive regarding lawful, unlawful, commands, and prohibitions
Uniquely narrates the story of the two sons of Adam
Principled focus on divine rulings
Incorporates aspects of faith and narratives
Contracts, slaughtering, hunting, marriage, apostasy, purification, theft, intoxicants
Story of forty years in the wilderness
The first murder and its lessons
Difference between wicked and righteous
Story of the Mā'idah
Amazing conversation between Allah and ʿĪsā on Judgment Day
The basic principle is permissibility of eating all domesticated animals except those specifically prohibited. Part of faith is accepting Shariah rulings without opposition.
Water is the default for ablution; Tayammum with clean earth when water is unavailable. This religion removes hardship and difficulty.
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion."
One divine punishment Allah imposes on nations is division into opposing sects and groups. Neglecting Allah's covenants leads to enmity, hatred, discord, and fighting.
If Allah willed to destroy Jesus, his mother, and all people on earth, no one could prevent Him. This proves His unique command and that there is no deity besides Him. Allah creates what He wills - from both parents, without a father like Jesus, from inanimate objects, or a female from a male.
The story of Adam's sons shows that the first sin was envy and aggression, leading to injustice and shedding of forbidden blood. Those who start evil precedents bear the sins of all who follow them.
Preserving one life is as if preserving all of humanity. Shedding forbidden blood is equivalent to killing all of humanity. The legal punishment for highway robbery and corruption includes death, crucifixion, amputation, or exile depending on actions.
The prescribed punishment for theft deters the thief and warns others. Repentance before reaching authorities leads to forgiveness, but if the case reaches authorities, judgment must be executed. The door of repentance remains open for those who are sincere.
The law of just retribution in matters of life and injuries is an ordinance from Allah. Pardoning instead of retribution carries great reward - the expiation of sins. It is obligatory to judge by Allah's law and avoid following desires.
The Surah contains strong warnings about those who mock Allah's religion and befriend His enemies. Most People of the Book are characterized by defiant disobedience. Their scholars who remain silent about sins and fail to warn their people face severe condemnation.
The doctrine entails allegiance and love for Allah, His Messenger, and believers, with aversion to disbelievers. A believer should not ally with non-believers - doing so indicates absence or weakness in faith.
No belief is valid unless its adherent provides proof from Allah. True faith means believing in what the self likes and dislikes - believing only what the soul desires is worship of whims.
Consuming alcohol incites enmity and hatred among people and distracts from remembrance of Allah and prayer. The verse about alcohol is the last revealed, clearly indicating its prohibition. Identify and abandon things that distract you from remembering Allah.
Prohibition of hunting while in Ihram for Hajj or Umrah, with explanation of expiation for killing game. Fearing Allah in private holds great significance. A wisdom of Allah in prohibitions is to test and purify His servants.
Do not be impressed by abundance - quantity is not an indicator of permissibility or goodness. A small amount of lawful is better than a large amount of harmful. Ill-gotten wealth harms its owner in both religion and worldly life.
Do not excessively question scholars about matters of no benefit. Etiquette for seeking religious rulings includes limiting questions to necessary boundaries. Allah loves questions intended for action but dislikes argumentative questioning.
A main reason for people's loss is abandoning what Allah revealed and blindly following ancestors in their mistakes. Following dignified customs is praiseworthy only when not contradicting Allah's law.
If a servant commits to obeying Allah and enjoining good to their capacity, they are not harmed by others' misguidance and will not be questioned about others, especially the misguided.
Affirmation of Jesus's humanity and the physical miracles granted to him by Allah's permission - reviving the dead, healing the blind and leper. These signs strengthen followers and confound opponents.
Allah will gather all creation and question even the messengers. Jesus is exonerated from Christian claims of divinity. A sign of faith is proper manners in addressing Allah, acknowledging His supreme knowledge and power.
The high status of truthfulness and Allah's praise for its people. The benefit of truthfulness manifests on the Day of Judgment. Ask Allah to grant you truthfulness in speech and action.
Surah al-Mā'idah calls us to fulfill every covenant - with Allah, His Messenger, and all of humanity. It is a comprehensive guide to living with integrity, justice, and devotion. The Surah begins with the command to fulfill contracts and concludes with the covenant taken by Jesus from his people, which they neglected.
Examine the contracts and promises you've made - to Allah, to family, to community. Recommit to honoring them with sincerity.
Deepen your understanding of Islamic rulings. This Surah contains laws found nowhere else in the Qur'ān.
Cultivate consciousness of Allah in every action. Taqwā is what drives us to fulfill Allah's rights and those of His creation.
"And remember the favor of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you."
Contemplating Over the Qur'ān: Day 5