Surah Al-An'am — Verse 145

Word Meanings:

• Maytah (ميتة): An animal that dies without being slaughtered according to Islamic rites.
• Daman Masfoohan (دمًا مسفوحًا): Flowing or poured-out blood, as opposed to blood that remains in the flesh after proper slaughter.
• Rijs (رجس): Impure, filthy, and abominable.
• Fisq (فسق): A deviation from obedience to Allah; here, it refers to an animal slaughtered while invoking the name of anyone other than Allah.
• Uhilla li ghayrillah (أُهلّ لغير الله): The act of raising one's voice at the time of slaughter to mention a name other than Allah's, such as idols or false deities.
• Bagh (باغ): One who seeks to eat the forbidden out of desire or transgression, not out of genuine need.
• Ad (عاد): One who exceeds the limits of necessity, eating more than what is required to survive.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O Messenger, say to those who question what is lawful and unlawful: "I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything that is forbidden to a person who wishes to eat, except for four specific things." This is a clear declaration that the authority to declare what is halal (lawful) and haram (forbidden) rests solely with Allah and His revelation—not with human customs, superstitions, or the inventions of the pagans of Makkah who arbitrarily forbade certain cattle and crops.

The first forbidden item is carrion—an animal that dies without being properly slaughtered according to Islamic law. The second is flowing blood, which is poured out and separated from the flesh. The third is the flesh of swine (pork), for it is entirely impure and harmful to both body and soul. The fourth is an animal slaughtered in the name of someone other than Allah, such as idols or false deities—this is an act of fisq (flagrant disobedience) because it associates partners with Allah in an act of worship meant solely for Him.

This verse makes it clear that the original state of all things is permissibility, and only these specific items are prohibited. Later, through the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), additional prohibitions were established, such as every beast with fangs (like lions and wolves), birds with talons (like eagles and hawks), and domesticated donkeys—all of which were forbidden for the well-being of humanity.

Then comes the divine mercy: "But whoever is compelled [by necessity], neither seeking [to satisfy] desire nor exceeding the limit—then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful." If a person is forced by extreme hunger to eat any of these forbidden items—with no other food available—and eats only what is necessary to stay alive, without desiring the taste or exceeding the bare minimum, then Allah forgives them and showers His mercy upon them. He does not hold them accountable, for He knows the constraints of His servants and does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.

This verse beautifully demonstrates the balance of Islam: it preserves the sanctity of divine law while showing profound compassion for human weakness and necessity. It teaches us that Allah's prohibitions are not arbitrary restrictions but protective measures for our physical and spiritual well-being. And when genuine hardship arises, the door of His mercy is wide open—for He is Al-Ghafoor (The Ever-Forgiving) and Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful).

Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, reflect on the beauty of this divine guidance! Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has made life easy for us. He forbids only what is harmful and impure, and even then, He provides an exception in cases of dire necessity. This is the religion of mercy—a religion that does not seek to burden you but to purify you, protect you, and bring you closer to your Creator. When you understand this, your heart fills with love for Allah, who knows your struggles and has placed His mercy above His wrath. Embrace His commands with trust, and know that in every prohibition lies a hidden blessing for those who believe.