Surah Al-An'am — Verse 118

Key Words and Their Meanings:

• "Dhukira ismullah 'alayh" — (upon which the Name of Allah has been mentioned): This refers to animals slaughtered while pronouncing the Name of Allah (Bismillah) at the time of slaughter.
• "Ayatihi" — (His signs/verses): The clear proofs, evidences, and commandments of Allah, including His rulings on what is lawful and unlawful.
• "Mu'minin" — (believers): Those who sincerely affirm and submit to Allah's guidance with conviction.

Explanation of the Verse:

O people, eat from the meat of animals that have been slaughtered with the Name of Allah pronounced upon them, for this is the lawful and pure provision that He has permitted for you. This command is addressed to those who truly believe in Allah's clear signs and divine proofs, which distinguish what is permissible from what is forbidden. The verse comes as a direct response to the misguided practices of the pre-Islamic Arabs, who arbitrarily declared certain cattle unlawful while permitting carrion and animals not slaughtered in Allah's Name. Allah reminds the believers that true faith requires complete submission to His rulings — not to personal whims, ancestral customs, or superstitious traditions. When you eat from what Allah has made lawful, and you remember His Name upon it, your food itself becomes an act of worship and gratitude, connecting your daily sustenance to your devotion to your Lord.

A Call to Reflection and Action:

Dear believer, this verse carries a profound lesson: your faith is not merely a matter of words — it is reflected in every aspect of your life, even in what you eat and how you consume it. When you begin your meal with the Name of Allah and consume only what is lawful, you are living out your faith in a tangible, beautiful way. This is the path of the believers who honor Allah's commands with joy and certainty. Let this verse inspire you to be mindful of your sustenance — seek what is pure, lawful, and blessed, and let every bite remind you of Allah's mercy and wisdom. For indeed, the one who eats from what Allah has permitted, with gratitude and remembrance, is nourished not only in body but in soul, drawing closer to His Lord with every meal.