Surah Al-An'am — Verse 143

Word Meanings:

• Al-Da'n (الضأن): Sheep, specifically those with wool.
• Al-Ma'z (المعز): Goats, specifically those with hair.
• Zawjayn (زوجين): A pair — meaning male and female.
• Ishtamalat (اشتملت): Contained or carried within.
• Arham (أرحام): Wombs.
• Nabbi'uni (نبئوني): Inform me, tell me with certainty.

Tafsir (Explanation):

Allah, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, has blessed humanity with livestock as a means of sustenance and provision. He created from these animals eight pairs — four types, each with its male and female counterpart. From sheep, there are two (male and female), and from goats, there are two (male and female). These are among the cattle that Allah has made lawful for His servants, as a clear sign of His generosity and care for mankind.

In this verse, Allah directs His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to challenge the polytheists of Arabia, who had invented their own arbitrary rules regarding which animals could be eaten and which were forbidden. They claimed these prohibitions came from Allah, yet they had no divine authority for such claims. Allah instructs the Prophet to ask them: "Is it the two males that Allah has forbidden — the male sheep and the male goat? Or is it the two females — the female sheep and the female goat? Or is it what is contained in the wombs of the two females — the offspring, whether male or female?"

This powerful rhetorical questioning exposes the utter inconsistency and absurdity of their fabricated laws. If they claimed Allah forbade the males, why did they themselves eat male animals in some cases? If they claimed He forbade the females, why did they eat females at other times? And if they claimed He forbade what is in the wombs, why did they not apply this consistently to all offspring? Their rules were self-contradictory, driven by tribal customs and personal whims, not by any genuine revelation.

The verse concludes with a firm demand: "Inform me with knowledge, if you are truthful." This is a challenge that no one can answer, because there is no knowledge — no divine text, no prophetic tradition, no sound reasoning — that supports their claims. They are simply following conjecture and inherited superstition.

A Call to Reflection and Sincerity:

This verse is a timeless lesson for all of humanity. It teaches us that we must never attribute to Allah that which He has not commanded. Religion is not a matter of personal preference or cultural tradition; it is a matter of following the truth that comes from the Creator alone. How often do people today fall into the same trap — making lawful what Allah has forbidden, or forbidding what Allah has made lawful, all based on their own desires or societal norms?

The beauty of Islam is that it provides clear, rational, and consistent guidance. Allah does not burden us with arbitrary rules; rather, He has made lawful for us all that is good and pure, and forbidden only that which is harmful and impure. When we submit to His commands, we find peace, balance, and blessing in our lives.

Let this verse inspire you to seek knowledge with sincerity, to question your assumptions, and to return to the pure guidance of the Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah. For the One who created you, who knows what is in the wombs and what is in the hearts, is the only One who has the right to legislate for you. And His legislation is always filled with wisdom, mercy, and love for His servants.

So embrace the halal with gratitude, avoid the haram with obedience, and never let baseless traditions or personal opinions override the clear commands of your Lord. Indeed, in following Allah's guidance lies your success in this life and the next.