Surah An-Nahl — Verse 118

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• "Wa 'ala allatheena hadoo" — "And upon those who were Jews" (i.e., those who followed the Jewish faith).
• "Harramna" — "We made forbidden" (i.e., We declared unlawful).
• "Ma qasasna 'alayka min qabl" — "What We related to you before" (referring to the prohibitions mentioned earlier in Surah Al-An'am, verse 146).
• "Wa ma thalamnahum" — "And We did not wrong them" (i.e., We were not unjust to them in this prohibition).
• "Yathlimoon" — "They were wronging" (i.e., harming themselves through their own actions).

Explanation of the Verse:

In this noble verse, Allah addresses His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and informs him that upon the Jews, He had made unlawful certain foods — specifically, every animal with undivided hooves (like camels and ostriches), as well as the fat of cattle and sheep, except what is carried on their backs, or in their entrails, or what is mixed with bone. This was a detailed prohibition that had already been mentioned in Surah Al-An'am (6:146).

Allah then clarifies a profound truth: He did not wrong the Jews by imposing these restrictions upon them. Rather, it was they who wronged themselves. How? Through their persistent disobedience, transgression, and rebellion against Allah's commands. Their continuous sins and arrogance led them to deserve this additional restriction as a form of divine punishment and discipline.

This verse carries a beautiful lesson for all of humanity: Allah never oppresses His servants. Every hardship, restriction, or trial we face is either a consequence of our own actions or a means of purification and elevation. When we sin, we harm ourselves first and foremost — our hearts become hardened, our souls become burdened, and our connection with our Creator weakens.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear reader, ponder deeply on this verse. Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, does not forbid anything except for our own good. The restrictions He places upon us are not arbitrary — they are protective shields, guiding us toward purity of body, mind, and soul.

When we obey Allah, we do not benefit Him — He is Self-Sufficient, free of all needs. Rather, we benefit ourselves. Likewise, when we disobey, we do not harm Him — we only harm ourselves. This is the essence of justice: the Creator is always fair, and the creation is always accountable for its choices.

So, let this verse inspire you to examine your own life. Are there restrictions from Allah that you find difficult? Remember that they are for your benefit. Are there sins you persist in? Remember that you are only harming yourself.

Embrace the beautiful teachings of Islam with an open heart. Every command of Allah is a mercy in disguise, and every prohibition is a protection. The path of obedience leads to peace in this life and eternal bliss in the Hereafter. Let us strive to be among those who understand this truth and act upon it — for truly, the one who submits to Allah finds the ultimate freedom and success.