The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, guides humanity towards felicity and perfection. Verses 96 and 97 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, with profound and sagacious expression, elucidate the regulations of hunting and the position of the Kaaba as the axis of unity and stability of the Islamic society. This treatise endeavours, through a deep examination of these verses, to present their latent meanings and concepts with clear and dignified language, in the form of a coherent and scholarly book. By relying on the discourses of religious scholars, this work explores the jurisprudential rulings, doctrinal principles, and ethical lessons contained within these verses, serving as a bridge between Qur'anic knowledge and the needs of contemporary society, thereby facilitating both thought and practice.
أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
The hunting of the sea and its food has been made lawful for you and for travellers, as a provision for you. But the hunting of the land is forbidden to you while you are in the state of Ihram. And fear Allah, to Whom you shall be gathered.
Verse 96 of Surah Al-Ma'idah clearly declares hunting of the sea and food derived from it as lawful for the believers. This ruling, like a divine mercy, facilitates the utilisation of marine blessings. The phrase صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ refers to hunting sea creatures, whereas طَعَامُهُ encompasses food processed from these creatures. This distinction manifests the Qur'ans attention to various stages of utilising natural resources; from the initial hunting to the preparation of the final edible product which contributes added value to society. This blessing, like a flowing spring, satisfies the material needs of pilgrims and travellers.
The Holy Qur'an describes sea hunting as مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ, meaning a means of benefit for believers and travellers. The term mat refers to the means and provisions of life, and siyrah denotes caravans or travellers undertaking religious and pilgrimage routes. This ruling, like a key unlocking doors of sustenance, opens provision pathways for pilgrims to the Sacred House of God. Particularly during Hajj seasons, sea hunting plays a vital role in supplying pilgrims provisions, reflecting divine wisdom in the formulation of rulings.
Despite the permissibility of sea hunting, any damage inflicted upon marine resources is prohibited, like a blow to the body of nature. This principle, acting as vigilant guardianship, emphasises environmental protection. Hunting sea creatures is permitted only within the framework of responsible utilisation, and any extravagance or destruction constitutes a violation of Islamic legal rulings. This approach reveals the profound consideration of the Holy Qur'an regarding ecological balance and sustainability of natural resources.
The verse explicitly states, وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا, meaning hunting land animals is forbidden during the state of Ihram. This prohibition acts as a sacred boundary, affirming the sanctity of Ihram. The Muhrim (one in the state of Ihram), positioned in a spiritual and elevated state, must refrain from harming living creatures. This ruling, like a mirror, reflects respect for life and maintenance of natural order during pilgrimage days.
The differentiation between sea and land hunting for the Muhrim embodies divine wisdom within jurisprudential rulings. Sea hunting is permitted because the sea acts as a plentiful repository providing food for pilgrims. Conversely, hunting land animals is forbidden due to its limitations and ecological impacts. This distinction, like a precise balance scale, maintains equilibrium between material needs and respect for divine laws.
The verse concludes with the phrase وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ, emphasising the necessity of piety and remembrance of the return to God. This summons, like a wake-up bell, calls believers to observe divine boundaries and avoid transgressions. The remembrance of resurrection, like a luminous torch, illuminates the path of piety and awakens the soul from heedlessness.
Verse 96 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, by elucidating the rulings on sea and land hunting, offers a comprehensive depiction of divine mercy and wisdom. By legalising sea hunting and its food, it addresses the material needs of pilgrims; by prohibiting land hunting during Ihram, it emphasises the sanctity of this state. The protection of natural resources and the call to piety stand as guiding stars in the celestial sphere of knowledge for believers.
جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْكَعْبَةَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ قِيَامًا لِلنَّاسِ وَالشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَالْهَدْيَ وَالْقَلَائِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Allah has made the Kaaba, the Sacred House, a steadfastness for mankind, and the sacred month, the sacrificial animals, and the garlands. That you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth, and that Allah is Knowing of all things.
Verse 97 of Surah Al-Ma'idah introduces the Kaaba as قِيَامًا لِلنَّاسِ, meaning a source of steadfastness and stability for people. The Kaaba, like a beating heart, is the centre of individual and collective connections among Muslims. This Sacred House is not only the direction of worship (Qibla) but also the axis of social and religious unity. Even non-Muslims recognise the Kaaba as a symbol of Islamic identity. This position, like a robust belt, binds the Islamic community together.
Besides the Kaaba, الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَالْهَدْيَ وَالْقَلَائِدَ are also introduced as factors of societal stability. The sacred month functions as a secure sanctuary, guaranteeing the safety of the Hajj rituals. Al-Hady refers to sacrifices personally offered by pilgrims, while al-Qalid are those sent remotely. These elements, like components of a harmonious system, strengthen the worship and social order of Hajj and impart organisation and cohesion to the Islamic community.
The phrase ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ sets forth the purpose of these rulings as realising the complete knowledge of Allah. This awareness, like a light within believers hearts, encourages their adherence to the divine ordinances. Allah, with His infinite knowledge, is aware of all human actions and intentions; this supervision acts as a motivation for God-consciousness.
The attribute عَلِيمٌ in وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ signifies Allahs comprehensive and precise knowledge of all matters. This attribute transcends mere knowing, denoting Allahs intrinsic and all-encompassing awareness. This omnipresence, like a vast canopy, encompasses every detail of human deeds and instils responsibility within the hearts of believers.
The Holy Qur'an emphasises that وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ, meaning the Prophets duty is solely to convey the divine rulings. He possesses no independent authority; all matters return to Allah. This principle, like a clear mirror, manifests the oneness of sovereignty and presents the Prophet as a trustworthy transmitter.
The Prophets and the Awliya (saints), as Abad Allah al-Salihin (the righteous servants of Allah), hold the highest rank of servitude. This status, like a lofty summit, signifies the grandeur of servitude before Allah. Nevertheless, absolute authority belongs solely to Allah, thereby manifesting monotheism in every aspect of believers lives.
Certain religions attribute divinity to the Prophets, such as claims that Jesus (peace be upon him) resurrected the dead, thereby misusing their status. This critique, like a vigilant warning, underscores the preservation of monotheism and avoidance of exaggeration regarding the Prophets. Miracles occur solely by Allahs permission and must not become tools for polytheism.
The noble hadith Ad-Duny Jfah libuh Kilbuh likens the world to carrion for which its seekers, like dogs, quarrel over without gaining any true benefit. This analogy, like an eloquent painting, depicts the futility of material attachments and the vanity of worldly competition, guiding believers towards spirituality and piety.
Bone, as a nutritious and inexpensive source, is recommended for cooking broth. This substance, through prolonged cooking, releases hidden treasures of energy and nutrients. This recommendation, like a guiding torch, points to optimal use of available resources and attention to livelihood economy.
Broth prepared from bone, as a strengthening food, is advised for fortifying the body against diseases, including those causing weakness. This suggestion, like a wise prescription, emphasises the importance of healthy nutrition for maintaining health and provides a practical solution for low-income communities.
Verse 97 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, by presenting the Kaaba as the axis of unity and steadfastness and elucidating the role of the sacred month, sacrificial
