of Nokounam (Session 1248)
The Holy Quran, as a guiding light, illuminates the path to human felicity, and its rulings, like a clear spring, respond to the spiritual and material needs of mankind. Verse 145 of Surah Al-Anm, which forms the core of this treatise, elucidates the rulings concerning lawful and unlawful consumables, articulating in clear terms the comprehensive nature of divine blessings. This verse was revealed in the context of a rural society with the aim of refuting superstitions and unfounded restrictions of the polytheists. Nevertheless, the transformations of modern life and scientific advancements necessitate a renewed interpretation of these rulings through a contemporary lens. This discourse, by reflecting deeply on the content of the verse and its profound analyses, endeavours to present these rulings scientifically and suitably for present-day needs, without deviating from the spirit and essential message of the Holy Quran.
Verse 145 of Surah Al-Anm, akin to an epic declaration from the Lord, manifests divine power and wisdom in the creation of blessings and the formulation of rulings. This proclamation, understood within the simple, rural life at the time of the Qurans revelation, emphasises the abundance of Gods blessings and the lawfulness of consumables. In this verse, God commands His Prophet to speak of the vastness of lawful blessings and to refute the polytheists superstitious limitations.
قُلْ لَا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنْزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُحِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
Say: I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, anything forbidden for a person who wishes to eat it except that it be carrion, or spilled blood, or the flesh of swinefor indeed, it is impureor that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced by necessity, neither desiring nor exceeding the limit, then indeed your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.
This verse explicitly announces the principle of lawfulness of consumables, listing only four exceptions: carrion, spilled blood, pork, and that which is sacrificed to other than Allah. These restrictions are not imposed to curtail blessings but are established to preserve human physical and spiritual health.
The Holy Quran, in this verse, by emphasising the permissibility of the majority of consumables, criticises the polytheists' approach who arbitrarily declared many of Gods blessings unlawful. This principle, like a key that unlocks doors of divine mercy to humanity, demonstrates that God has placed no obstacles to enjoying His blessings except in limited cases. In the modern world, this principle can form the foundation for scientific dialogues regarding nutrition and utilisation of natural resources.
Verse 145 of Surah Al-Anm, by clarifying the principle of lawful food, negates superstitions and baseless restrictions. This verse, through divine proclamation, emphasises Gods wisdom and mercy in the creation of blessings and paves the way for revisiting rulings in light of modern science.
Carrion (maytah) refers to an animal that has died naturally without proper ritual slaughter, resulting in disruption of its physical and spiritual balance. The Holy Quran forbids consumption of carrion due to health hazards and adverse effects on human well-being. This prohibition acts as a protective shield safeguarding humans from diseases and harm caused by consuming spoiled matter.
Scientifically, carrion is unsuitable for human consumption because of accumulation of microbes and pathogens. This observation, empirically known at the time of the Qurans revelation, has been confirmed by advances in nutrition and medical sciences. For instance, decomposition of proteins in dead animals leads to production of toxins and harmful bacteria jeopardising human health.
Spilled blood (damn masfan) refers to the blood that flows during animal slaughter. The Quran prohibits its consumption due to the presence of viruses, microbes, and adverse effects such as hardness of the heart. However, meat of the properly slaughtered animal remains lawful, and only the blood is forbidden for ingestion.
From a scientific viewpoint, blood contains pathogenic agents like viruses and bacteria, making it unsuitable for human consumption. Spiritually, consumption of blood is associated with hardening of the heart and diminution of human emotionsregarded as spiritual harm within the Quranic culture. Nonetheless, non-nutritional uses of blood, such as in medical or industrial applications, are permitted due to their legitimate benefits.
Pork (lam khinzr) is prohibited in the Quran due to the pigs unhealthy diet and its detrimental physical, spiritual, and moral effects on humans. The pig consumes impure and contaminated substances, producing meat contaminated by these impurities. Consumption leads to physical illnesses such as obesity and moral corruption.
Scientifically, pork harbours parasites like Trichinella and saturated fats harmful to human health. In societies where pork is
