of Nokounam (Session 1559)

Preface

Surah Al-Ma'idah, one of the Medinan chapters of the Holy Qur'an, shines like a brilliant gem among the divine verses, elucidating, with profound expression, the guiding principles for the Islamic Ummah in matters of contracts, covenants, warfare, conveying the message, and the completion of religion. This Surah, emphasising the fulfilment of pledges, firmness against corruption, and the pivotal role of Imamate in the preservation of religion, provides comprehensive guidance for living in a divinely ordained society. The present discourse, through an in-depth examination of selected verses from this Surah (verses 1, 3, 4, 7, 1214, 33, and 67), endeavours to elucidate the meanings and concepts of these verses in a fluent language and coherent structure for the readers, within a scientific and dignified framework. Employing a jurisprudential and psychological approach, this text seeks to reveal the deeper layers of the verses and clarify the semantic connections among them, as if wielding a golden key to unlock the hidden treasures of the Holy Qur'an for seekers of truth.

Section One: Fulfilment of Divine Contracts and Covenants

Exegesis of Verse One: The Principle of Fulfilling Contracts

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ ۚ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُمْ بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنْتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ

O you who have believed, fulfil the contracts. Livestock have been made lawful for you, except what is recited to youthat you do not hunt while in the state of ihram. Indeed, Allah judges what He wills.

This noble verse, like a steadfast pillar, introduces the principle of fulfilling contracts as the foundation for social and ethical order within the Islamic community. The phrase "أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ" signifies the fulfilment of all pledges, whether economic or non-economic such as marriage, encompassing a broad spectrum of human obligations. From a jurisprudential perspective, this principle covers all legitimate contracts, while psychologically, it reinforces trust and social cohesion, as if a strong thread binding human connections together.

Continuing the verse, "أُحِلَّتْ لَكُمْ بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ" refers to the permissibility of livestock, except for specified exceptions. Some commentators have interpreted "بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ" as the food of the People of the Book, which, if accepted, further strengthens the generality of fulfilling contracts by placing relations with the People of the Book within legitimate covenants. Even if this interpretation is rejected, the principle of fulfilling contracts remains an overarching ruling, illuminating all aspects of social life like the sun.

Verse Four: Facilitating Social Relations with the People of the Book

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَهُمْ

Today, good things have been made lawful for you, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them.

This verse, like a firm bridge, facilitates social and economic relations between Muslims and the People of the Book. The permissibility of the food of the People of the Book not only supports economic interactions but also strengthens social bonds. This ruling, alongside the principle of fulfilling contracts, provides a framework for legitimate cooperation, as if opening a gateway toward peaceful coexistence.

Verse Seven: Remembrance of Divine Blessings and Covenant

وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيثَاقَهُ الَّذِي وَاثَقَكُمْ بِهِ إِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا

And remember the favour of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, "We hear and obey."

This verse, like a clear mirror, invites the believers to recall the divine blessings and the covenant they have made with Allah. The divine covenant is a commitment that guarantees the continuity of the Islamic Ummah and, from a psychological standpoint, the remembrance of blessings stimulates gratitude and motivates fidelity to the pledge. This covenant is like a thread connecting the hearts of believers to their Creator.

Verses Twelve to Fourteen: Consequences of Breaching the Covenant

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا

And Allah had taken the covenant of the Children of Israel and We appointed from among them twelve leaders.

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ مِيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِهِ

But because they broke their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts hard; they distort words from their [proper] usages.

وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَىٰ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَهُمْ فَنَسُوا حَظًّا مِمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَأَغْرَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ

And from those who said, "We are Christians," We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection.

These verses, like a fiery warning, depict the consequences of covenant breach. The breach by the Children of Israel and the Christians resulted in hardening of hearts, distortion of divine words, and enduring enmity. Jurisprudentially, breaking the covenant is a forbidden and harmful act that disrupts social order. Psychologically, it destroys trust and sows animosity. A question arises whether breaching the covenant is permissible for the believers for their benefit. The verses explicitly condemn this act and provide no justification for its permissibility, even for apparent benefit, except in cases where the opposing party violates the covenant and continuation thereof harms the Islamic Ummah.

Section Two: Warfare and Firmness Against Corruption on Earth

Exegesis of Verse Thirty-Three: Rules of Warfare

إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ ف