Surah Al-Midah, one of the Medinan chapters of the Holy Quran, is like a radiant jewel within the constellation of divine knowledge. It encompasses rulings and teachings that serve as guidance for the individual and social life of believers. This Surah, with a focus on ritual, rational, and spiritual rulings, offers a comprehensive framework for regulating human and divine relations. The initial verses of this Surah, which constitute the focus of this treatise, eloquently and profoundly discuss topics ranging from faithfulness to covenant, to the permissibility of wholesome provisions and interaction with the People of the Book. This writing endeavours, through a deep and sober examination of these verses, to elucidate their meanings and concepts in clear and dignified language for researchers and seekers of truth. Like a mighty tree rooted in the soil of revelation, these reflections engage the nexus of reason and transmitted knowledge in understanding religion, emphasising the dynamism of rulings within the context of time and place.
The opening verses of Surah Al-Midah, akin to a precise map, classify divine rulings into three principal categories: ritualistic, rational, and spiritual rulings. Ritualistic rulings, such as the prohibition of carrion and blood, resemble divine commands whose acceptance necessitates faith and submission. Rational rulings, such as fulfilling covenants, stand as steadfast pillars consonant with human reason and are accepted across all cultures. Spiritual rulings, such as the completion of religion and divine satisfaction, act like invigorating breezes, reinforcing the spirit of believers and engendering reassurance in their hearts.
Ritualistic rulings, such as the prohibition of consuming carrion, blood, and pork, are divine injunctions that, at first glance, appear devoid of explicit rational or scientific reasoning. These rulings call the believer to submit to the divine command, yet simultaneously provoke questions in the minds of truth seekers. Can these rulings be elucidated through scientific and rational analyses? For instance, the prohibition of blood and carrion may have roots in hygienic considerations, although these reasons are expressed within a framework of ritual submission. The historical absence of sufficient effort in Islamic scholarship to rationally interpret these rulings has acted as a rugged path, preventing full utilisation of the religions capacities.
حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ...
Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, and pork meat...
This verse decisively enumerates dietary prohibitions and summons believers to adhere to them. However, the lack of scientific analyses in this domain acts like a veil over the mirror of truth, hindering complete comprehension of the wisdom behind these rulings.
One religious scholar, in a satirical allegory, referred to himself as "Gods donkey," considering this viewpoint as indicative of excessive submission. This allegory reflects the blind acceptance of rulings without rational contemplation. Such an approach, akin to a journey in darkness, deprives one of fully benefiting from the light of divine guidance. Emphasising absolute submission without integration of reason has occasionally led to deviations in religious understanding and diminished its dynamism.
The rulings in Surah Al-Midah, like the branches of a mighty tree, are categorised into ritualistic, rational, and spiritual types. This diversity signifies the comprehensiveness of religion in addressing various human needs. Nonetheless, the lack of endeavours to rationally interpret ritualistic rulings has acted as a barrier against the free flow of pure knowledge, preventing full utilisation of these rulings. Reflecting upon these rulings and linking them to reason and science paves the way toward a more dynamic understanding of religion.
One of the most prominent rational rulings in Surah Al-Midah is the fulfilment of covenants, which, like a firm pillar, strengthens the foundations of ethics and society.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ...
O you who have believed, fulfil [all] contracts...
This verse, like a universal command, emphasises the importance of adherence to commitments. Fulfilling covenants is not only valued in religion but also treasured as a precious jewel in all cultures and civilisations. This principle, akin to a bridge between hearts, fosters trust and cooperation within society.
Another verse emphasising rationality admonishes against unjust retaliation.
وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَنْ صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَنْ تَعْتَدُوا...
And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just...
This ruling acts like a shield against anger and fanaticism, preventing incitement to conflict and strife. The rationality of this verse, inviting self-restraint and justice, serves as a guiding light for believers amid darkness.
Among the most beautiful Quranic rulings is the permissibility of wholesome provisions, which, like a clear stream, brings purity and health to the lives of believers.
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ...
They ask you, [O Prophet], what has been made lawful for them. Say, "Lawful for you are [all] good things..."
ayyibt encompasses all that is pure, wholesome, and lawful, free from usurped and forbidden property. This ruling reflects common sense and sound reason, as even animals distinguish between the clean and unclean. Emphasising consumption of wholesome provisions is an invitation toward a pure and ethical life.
The rational rulings of Surah Al-Midah, like shining stars in the firmament of knowledge, guide believers toward justice, ethics, and purity. Fulfilling covenants, refraining from transgression, and emphasising wholesome provisions demonstrate the profound connection between religion and sound reason. These rulings, like a flowing river, breathe vitality and freshness into the lives of believers.
One of the outstanding features of Quranic rulings is their flexibility under conditions of necessity.
فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِإِثْمٍ...
But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful...
This verse acts like a golden key, opening the doors of divine mercy in difficult circumstances. Permitting the consumption of forbidden items during severe hunger signifies God's compassion and the flexibility of religion in addressing human needs.
Another verse permits hunting with trained animals.
وَمَا عَلَّمْتُمْ مِنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ...
And what you have trained of hunting animals to catch prey...
This ruling, rooted in traditional life, requires scientific analysis to elucidate its wisdom in the modern world. Like an ancient tool, this ruling ought to be harmonised with contemporary needs.
Flexibility in Quranic rulings, like a refreshing breeze, grants believers peace and assurance. Permitting the consumption of prohibited items in necessity and hunting with trained animals reflects the comprehensiveness and mercy of religion. These rulings serve as a bridge between tradition and human needs, facilitating a dynamic understanding of religion.
One of the prominent rulings in Surah Al-Midah is the permissibility of consuming the food of the People of the Book for believers, and vice versa.
وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ...
The food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them...
This verse, like a bridge between religions, emphasises tolerance and constructive interaction with the People of the Book. The People of the Book, who believe in monotheism, are not considered impure, and this ruling, akin to an olive branch, symbolises peace and coexistence.
Another verse permits marriage with chaste women from among the People of the Book.
وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ...
And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you...
This ruling, conditional upon the payment of dowry and preservation of chastity, is like a flower in the garden of religion, emphasising respect and justice in human relations.
The rulings concerning the People of the Book, like a mirror, reflect the spirit of tolerance and coexistence in Islam. The permissibility of their food and marriage to their chaste women invites constructive interaction and mutual respect among religions.
Religion, like a flowing river, must harmonise with the conditions of time and place. Emphasis on dynamic ijtihd (independent reasoning) is like a key unlocking the locks of time, aligning rulings with contemporary needs. Religious knowledge, like an ancient tree, requires fresh and new branches to respond to novel inquiries.
Dowry, which historically symbolised devotion and compensation for womens economic status, requires reconsideration in the modern world. Excessively heavy dowries, like a burdensome weight upon the spouses, sometimes lead to injustice and corruption. Determining reasonable dowries, like a cool breeze, revitalises marriages.
إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ...
When you give them their due compensation...
The traditional diet, limited to a few foodstuffs, like a monotonous garden, endangers human health. Emphasis on dietary diversity and scientific research, like spring rain, contributes to health and longevity.
Dynamic ijtihd, like a guiding lamp, aligns religion with contemporary needs. Revising rulings such as dowry and attention to nutritional diversity indicates the necessity for the vitality of religious knowledge. This dynamism, like a clear stream, breathes life and freshness into the lives of believers.
Surah Al-Midah, like a treasury of divine knowledge, contains rulings that guide the life of believers. From ritualistic rulings such as the prohibition of carrion, to rational rulings such as fulfilling covenants, and spiritual rulings such as the completion of religion, this Surah offers a comprehensive framework for a faithful life. The emphasis on the dynamism of religious knowledge, tolerance towards the People of the Book, and flexibility in conditions of necessity, testify to the comprehensiveness and mercy of Islam. This treatise, like a journey through the garden of revelation, has sought to elucidate these teachings for seekers of truth in eloquent and dignified language.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
