Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo awfoo bil'uqood; uhillat lakum baheematul an'aami illaa maa yutlaa 'alaikum ghaira muhillis saidi wa antum hurum; innal laaha yahkumu maa yureed
O you who have believed, fulfil [all] obligations. Lawful to you [for food] are all four-footed animals, with the exceptions named: But animals of the chase are forbidden while you are in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb: for Allah does command according to His will and plan.
Commentary of verse 5:1
A believer's life is one of conscious discipline. Though free to act as he pleases in the world, he chooses to submit to Allah's authority and regulation. He willingly binds himself by a covenant, pledging not to act independently, but in accordance with divine command.
He eats only what Allah has permitted and avoids what is forbidden. When even lawful things are temporarily restricted—such as during ihram or in sacred months—he accepts this gladly. He honours symbols that represent religious truth, knowing that to respect them is to honour the faith itself. And all of this is done purely out of reverence and fear of Allah, with no other motive.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tuhilloo sha'aaa 'iral laahi wa lash Shahral Haraama wa lal hadya wa lal qalaaa'ida wa laa aaammeenal Baital Haraama yabtaghoona fadlam mir Rabbihim wa ridwaanaa; wa izaa halaltum fastaadoo; wa laa yajrimannakum shana aanu qawmin an saddookum 'anil Masjidil-Haraami an ta'tadoo; wa ta'aawanoo 'alalbirri wattaqwaa; wa laa ta'aawanoo 'alal ismi wal'udwaan; wattaqul laah; innal laaha shadeedul 'iqaab
O you who have believed, Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlands that mark out such animals, nor the people resorting to the sacred house, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord.
But when you are clear of the sacred precincts and of pilgrim garb, you may hunt and let not the hatred of some people in [once] shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression [and hostility on your part].
Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment.
Commentary of verses 5:2 to 5:5
The Quran expresses the believer's innermost feelings in the most fitting words. The opening chapter captures the natural supplication that arises when someone discovers the truth. Looking at the world, one cannot ignore the overwhelming signs of God's power and mercy. Everything is arranged with extraordinary precision, perfectly suited to human needs. This remarkable order shows that creation cannot be without purpose. It points to a Day of Judgement when the grateful and ungrateful will be rewarded accordingly. Moved by this realisation, the believer prays: 'Lord, You are Master of the Day of Judgement. I submit to You and seek Your help. Guide me on the true path, the way of Your chosen servants, and help me avoid the path of those who have gone astray or earned Your displeasure.' God calls His servants to live with such sincerity and devotion. The opening chapter is a summary of Islamic belief; the rest of the Quran expands upon this foundation.
Hurrimat 'alaikumul maitatu waddamu wa lahmul khinzeeri wa maaa uhilla lighiril laahi bihee walmun khani qatu wal mawqoozatu wal mutarad diyatu wanna teehatu wa maaa akalas sabu'u illaa maa zakkaitum wa maa zubiha 'alan nusubi wa an tastaqsimoo bil azlaam; zaalikum fisq; alyawma ya'isal lazeena kafaroo min deenikum falaa takhshawhum wakh shawn; alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum wa atmamtu 'alaikum ni'matee wa radeetu lakumul Islaama deenaa; famanidturra fee makhmasatin ghaira mutajaanifil li ismin fa innallaaha Ghafoorur Raheem
Forbidden to you [for food] are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which has been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which has been [partly] eaten by a wild animal;
unless you are able to slaughter it [in due form]; that which is sacrificed on stone [altars]; [forbidden] also is the division [of meat] by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who disbelieve given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me.
This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Commentary of verses 5:2 to 5:5
The Quran expresses the believer's innermost feelings in the most fitting words. The opening chapter captures the natural supplication that arises when someone discovers the truth. Looking at the world, one cannot ignore the overwhelming signs of God's power and mercy. Everything is arranged with extraordinary precision, perfectly suited to human needs. This remarkable order shows that creation cannot be without purpose. It points to a Day of Judgement when the grateful and ungrateful will be rewarded accordingly. Moved by this realisation, the believer prays: 'Lord, You are Master of the Day of Judgement. I submit to You and seek Your help. Guide me on the true path, the way of Your chosen servants, and help me avoid the path of those who have gone astray or earned Your displeasure.' God calls His servants to live with such sincerity and devotion. The opening chapter is a summary of Islamic belief; the rest of the Quran expands upon this foundation.
They ask you what is lawful to them [as food]. Say: lawful to you are [all] things good and pure: and what you have taught your trained hunting animals [to catch] in the manner directed to you by Allah: eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.
Commentary of verses 5:2 to 5:5
The Quran expresses the believer's innermost feelings in the most fitting words. The opening chapter captures the natural supplication that arises when someone discovers the truth. Looking at the world, one cannot ignore the overwhelming signs of God's power and mercy. Everything is arranged with extraordinary precision, perfectly suited to human needs. This remarkable order shows that creation cannot be without purpose. It points to a Day of Judgement when the grateful and ungrateful will be rewarded accordingly. Moved by this realisation, the believer prays: 'Lord, You are Master of the Day of Judgement. I submit to You and seek Your help. Guide me on the true path, the way of Your chosen servants, and help me avoid the path of those who have gone astray or earned Your displeasure.' God calls His servants to live with such sincerity and devotion. The opening chapter is a summary of Islamic belief; the rest of the Quran expands upon this foundation.
Alyawma uhilla lakumut taiyibaatu wa ta'aamul lazeena ootul Kitaaba hillul lakum wa ta'aamukum hillul lahum wal muhsanaatu minal mu'minaati walmuhsanaatu minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba min qablikum izaaa aataitumoohunna ujoorahunna muhsineena ghaira musaafiheena wa laa muttakhizeee akhdaan; wa mai yakfur bil eemaani faqad habita 'amaluhoo wa huwa fil Aaakhirati minal khaasireen
This day are [all] things good and pure made lawful to you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them.
[Lawful to you in marriage] are [not only] chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time, when you give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues if any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost [all spiritual good].
Commentary of verses 5:2 to 5:5
The Quran expresses the believer's innermost feelings in the most fitting words. The opening chapter captures the natural supplication that arises when someone discovers the truth. Looking at the world, one cannot ignore the overwhelming signs of God's power and mercy. Everything is arranged with extraordinary precision, perfectly suited to human needs. This remarkable order shows that creation cannot be without purpose. It points to a Day of Judgement when the grateful and ungrateful will be rewarded accordingly. Moved by this realisation, the believer prays: 'Lord, You are Master of the Day of Judgement. I submit to You and seek Your help. Guide me on the true path, the way of Your chosen servants, and help me avoid the path of those who have gone astray or earned Your displeasure.' God calls His servants to live with such sincerity and devotion. The opening chapter is a summary of Islamic belief; the rest of the Quran expands upon this foundation.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo izaa qumtum ilas Salaati faghsiloo wujoohakum wa Aidiyakum ilal maraafiqi wamsahoo biru'oosikum wa arjulakum ilal ka'bayn; wa in kuntum junuban fattahharoo; wain kuntum mardaaa aw'alaa safarin aw jaaa'a ahadum minkum minal ghaaa'iti aw laamastumunnisaaa'a falam tajidoo maaa'an fatayammamoo sa'eedan taiyiban famsahoo biwujoohikum wa aideekum minh; ma yureedul laahu liyaj'ala 'alaikum min harajinw wa laakidy yureedu liyutahhirakum wa liyutimma m'matahoo 'alaikum la'allakum tashkuroon
O you who have believed, when you prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands [and arms] to the elbows; Rub your heads [with water]; and [wash] your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body.
But if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from offices of nature, or you have been in contact with women, and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah does not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that you may be grateful.
Commentary of verse 5:6
This verse refers to the various types of livestock that the pagan Arabs of pre-Islamic times used to consecrate and set aside as offerings to their false deities.
Wazkuroo ni'matal laahi 'alaikum wa meesaaqahul lazee waasaqakum biheee iz qultum sami'naa wa ata'naa wattaqul laah; innal laaha 'aleemum bizaatis sudoor
And call in remembrance the favour of Allah to you, and His covenant, which He ratified with you, when you said: "We hear and we obey": And fear Allah, for Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts.
Commentary of verses 5:7 to 5:8
Faith represents a sacred covenant between God and the believer. The believer pledges to live a life of piety and mindfulness, whilst God promises to be their protector in this world and the next. This covenant must be honoured in two essential ways.
Firstly, the believer must remain firm on God's path in every aspect of life. When contemplating creation, they should be filled with awe at God's majesty and power. When reflecting upon themselves, they should recognise that their very existence is a gift of divine grace and mercy. Their emotions should be stirred for God's sake, their attention focused upon Him. Their love, fear, and remembrance should be devoted to God alone, expressed through prayer, obedience, charity, and a life lived joyfully in His service.
Secondly, believers must treat others with justice and fairness—giving each person exactly what they deserve, neither more nor less. They must uphold justice in all their dealings, guided by principle rather than personal desire. This commitment to fairness must be unwavering, even when dealing with enemies or confronting painful memories that tempt one to stray from what is right.
O you who have believed, stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.
Commentary of verses 5:7 to 5:8
Faith represents a sacred covenant between God and the believer. The believer pledges to live a life of piety and mindfulness, whilst God promises to be their protector in this world and the next. This covenant must be honoured in two essential ways.
Firstly, the believer must remain firm on God's path in every aspect of life. When contemplating creation, they should be filled with awe at God's majesty and power. When reflecting upon themselves, they should recognise that their very existence is a gift of divine grace and mercy. Their emotions should be stirred for God's sake, their attention focused upon Him. Their love, fear, and remembrance should be devoted to God alone, expressed through prayer, obedience, charity, and a life lived joyfully in His service.
Secondly, believers must treat others with justice and fairness—giving each person exactly what they deserve, neither more nor less. They must uphold justice in all their dealings, guided by principle rather than personal desire. This commitment to fairness must be unwavering, even when dealing with enemies or confronting painful memories that tempt one to stray from what is right.
Wa'adal laahul lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati lahum maghfiratunw wa ajrun 'azeem
To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness has Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward.
Commentary of verses 5:9 to 5:10
God reveals His presence through signs and arguments that cannot be genuinely refuted. When confronted with such clear evidence, a person who responds with empty rhetoric instead of acceptance is effectively denying God's signs. Such individuals will face severe consequences. In contrast, those who accept these truths with sincerity will be deemed worthy of God's reward.
Wallazeena kafaroo wa kazzaboo bi Aayaatinaaa ulaaa'ika Ashaabul Jaheem
Those who disbelieve and deny our signs will be companions of Hell-fire.
Commentary of verses 5:9 to 5:10
God reveals His presence through signs and arguments that cannot be genuinely refuted. When confronted with such clear evidence, a person who responds with empty rhetoric instead of acceptance is effectively denying God's signs. Such individuals will face severe consequences. In contrast, those who accept these truths with sincerity will be deemed worthy of God's reward.
Yaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanuz kuroo ni'matallaahi 'alaikum iz hamma qawmun ai yabsutooo ilaikum aidiyahm fakaffa aidiyahum 'ankum wattaqullaah; wa'alal laahi fal yatawakalil mu'minoon
O you who have believed, Call in remembrance the favour of Allah to you when certain men formed the design to stretch out their hands against you, but [Allah] held back their hands from you: so fear Allah. And on Allah let believers put [all] their trust.
Commentary of verses 5:11 to 5:13
The Children of Israel made a covenant through their prophets to live righteously. Twelve chiefs, representing their twelve tribes, were appointed to oversee this commitment. They pledged to fulfil their spiritual duties—offering prayer, giving charity, supporting God's messengers, and spending their wealth in His cause. Only through this collective devotion and mutual accountability could they earn God's companionship and the blessings of Paradise, which come through righteous action, not through lineage.
These core requirements apply universally to all people. Yet when communities entrusted with scripture stray, they deviate from this path. They distort religious concepts with self-serving interpretations, reduce prayer to empty ritual, seek salvation without fulfilling their duties to others, and replace genuine devotion with worldly pursuits. They fabricate a version of religion that suits their desires and claim it as God's will. Once a people reach this stage of corruption, God withdraws His guidance. Left to follow base desires, they remain heedless until death overtakes them and brings them to face divine judgement.
Wa laqad akhazal laahu meesaaqa Banee Israaa'eela wa ba'sanaa minhumus ani 'ashara naqeebanw wa qaalal laahu innee ma'akum la'in aqamtumus Salaata wa aataitumuz Zakaata wa aamantum bi Rusulee wa'azzartumoohum wa aqradtumul laaha qardan hasanal la ukaffiranna 'ankum saiyiaatikum wa la udkhilan nakum Jannaatin tajree min tahtihal anhaar; faman kafara ba'da zaalika minkum faqad dalla sawaaa'as Sabeel
Allah did aforetime take a covenant from the Children of Israel, and we appointed twelve captains among them.
And Allah said: "I am with you: if you [but] establish regular prayers, practise regular charity, believe in my messengers, honour and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, indeed I will wipe out from you your evils, and admit you to gardens with rivers flowing beneath;
but if any of you, after this, resists faith, he has truly wandered from the path or rectitude."
Commentary of verse 5:12
Communities that initially embraced faith through their prophets later abandoned true teachings and created their own versions of religion, yet continued to claim affiliation with those prophets. The Jews associate themselves with Moses and the Christians with Jesus, though their present practices bear little connection to the original message. This confusion may persist in this life, but on the Day of Judgement all will be revealed. God will gather the prophets before their communities and ask what they taught and how their followers responded. In that reckoning, every community will see clearly how far they strayed from their prophet's guidance and how falsely they attributed their invented beliefs to him.
But because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard;
they change the words from their [right] places and forget a good part of the message that was sent them, nor will you cease to find them- barring a few - ever bent on [new] deceits: but forgive them, and overlook [their misdeeds]: for Allah loves those who are kind.
Commentary of verses 5:11 to 5:13
The Children of Israel made a covenant through their prophets to live righteously. Twelve chiefs, representing their twelve tribes, were appointed to oversee this commitment. They pledged to fulfil their spiritual duties—offering prayer, giving charity, supporting God's messengers, and spending their wealth in His cause. Only through this collective devotion and mutual accountability could they earn God's companionship and the blessings of Paradise, which come through righteous action, not through lineage.
These core requirements apply universally to all people. Yet when communities entrusted with scripture stray, they deviate from this path. They distort religious concepts with self-serving interpretations, reduce prayer to empty ritual, seek salvation without fulfilling their duties to others, and replace genuine devotion with worldly pursuits. They fabricate a version of religion that suits their desires and claim it as God's will. Once a people reach this stage of corruption, God withdraws His guidance. Left to follow base desires, they remain heedless until death overtakes them and brings them to face divine judgement.
Wa minal lazeena qaalooo innaa nasaaraaa akhaznaa meesaaqahum fanasoo hazzam mimmaa zukkiroo bihee fa aghrainaa binahumul 'adaawata walbaghdaaa'a ilaa yawmil Qiyaamah; wa sawfa yunabbi'uhumul laahu bimaa kaanoo yasna'oon
From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgement. And soon will Allah show them what it is they have done.
Commentary of verse 5:14
Jesus stands as a bridge between the earlier prophets and the final messenger. He was granted extraordinary miracles, yet his sincere followers were few and his Jewish opponents held worldly power. Despite this, they could neither harm him nor destroy his companions. These miracles should have led people to embrace his message. Instead, his enemies dismissed them as sorcery, whilst those who claimed to follow him later elevated him to godhood. On the Day of Judgement, it will be made plain that every miracle Jesus performed was by God's command, and that God protected him from his adversaries. When Jesus himself testifies to this truth before those who claim to follow him, they will have to account for the religion they falsely ascribed to him.
yaaa Ahlal kitaabi qad jaaa'akum Rasoolunaa yubaiyinu lakum kaseeram mimmmaa kuntum tukhfoona minal Kitaabi wa ya'foo 'an kaseer; qad jaaa'akum minal laahi noorunw wa Kitaabum Mubeen
O people of the Book! There has come to you our Messenger, revealing to you much that you used to hide in the Book, and passing over much [that is now unnecessary]: There has come to you from Allah a [new] light and a clear Book, -
Commentary of verse 5:15
The caller invites people to truth, but accepting that truth requires divine inspiration. Even when someone is intellectually convinced, many obstacles remain—the ordinariness of the messenger, fear of upending one's established way of life, doubts about whether esteemed figures of the past were mistaken. At this critical moment, when a person stands on the threshold of belief yet cannot decide, God intervenes. He extends His help to those in whom He perceives goodness, guiding them beyond doubt and into the realm of certainty.
Yahdee bihil laahu manit taba'a ridwaanahoo subulas salaami wa yukhrijuhum minaz zulumaati ilan noori bi iznihee wa yahdeehim ilaa Siraatim Mustaqeem
Wherewith Allah guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leads them out of darkness, by His will, to the light, guides them to a path that is straight.
Commentary of verse 5:16
God sustains humanity by providing everything we need from the earth itself—a vast spread of provisions always at our disposal. Yet when the followers of Jesus requested food directly from the heavens, they were met with a stern warning. The reason is simple: the everyday blessings we enjoy are delivered through natural causes, subtly veiled from direct divine intervention. To demand that veil be lifted is to ask for the miraculous to replace the ordinary. But God has designed this world as a place of test and choice. If the veil were removed and every provision came visibly from the sky, there would be no room for faith, no opportunity for struggle, and no meaningful trial. The conditions necessary for our spiritual growth depend on this hidden arrangement.
Laqad kafaral lazeena qaalooo innal laaha huwal maseehub nu Maryam; qul famany-yamliku minal laahi shai'an in araada ai yuhlikal Maseehab na Maryama wa ummahoo wa man fil ardi jamee'aa, wa lillaahi mmulkus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa bainahumaa; yakhluqu maa Yashaaa'; wakhluqu maa yashaaa'; wallaahu 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer
In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then has the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is upon the earth? For to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between.
He creates what He pleases. For Allah is over all things competent."
Commentary of verses 5:16 to 5:18
When a people receive God's Scripture and a prophet, and respond with acceptance, they are granted profound blessings: divine support, victory over adversaries, authority on earth, forgiveness, and the promise of Paradise. For the earliest generations, these rewards reflected their sincere devotion—they gave themselves wholly to God, and He honoured them in return. But later generations often inherit the name without the commitment. What was once earned through faith and sacrifice becomes assumed as birthright. Entire communities begin to imagine themselves divinely favoured simply by ancestry or affiliation, regardless of their actions. To correct this misunderstanding, God makes clear that His rewards manifest visibly in this world. If a people blessed with revelation enjoy dominance and success, it signals divine approval. If they are defeated and subdued despite their numbers, it reveals the opposite. No group clutching a scripture can expect honour in the Hereafter if they remain weak and humiliated in this life. Worldly outcomes, in this sense, mirror spiritual realities.
Wa qaalatil Yahoodu wan Nasaaraa nahnu abnaaa'ul laahi wa ahibbaaa'uh; qul falima yu'azzibukum bizunoobikum bal antum basharum mimmman khalaq; yaghfiru limai yashaaa'u wa yu'azzibu mai yashaaa'; wa lillaahi mulkus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa bainahumaa wa ilaihil maseer
[Both] the Jews and the Christians say: "We are sons of Allah, and his beloved." Say: "Why then does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are but men, of the men he has created: He forgives whom He pleases, and He punishes whom He pleases: and to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between: and to Him is the final goal [of all]"
Commentary of verses 5:16 to 5:18
When a people receive God's Scripture and a prophet, and respond with acceptance, they are granted profound blessings: divine support, victory over adversaries, authority on earth, forgiveness, and the promise of Paradise. For the earliest generations, these rewards reflected their sincere devotion—they gave themselves wholly to God, and He honoured them in return. But later generations often inherit the name without the commitment. What was once earned through faith and sacrifice becomes assumed as birthright. Entire communities begin to imagine themselves divinely favoured simply by ancestry or affiliation, regardless of their actions. To correct this misunderstanding, God makes clear that His rewards manifest visibly in this world. If a people blessed with revelation enjoy dominance and success, it signals divine approval. If they are defeated and subdued despite their numbers, it reveals the opposite. No group clutching a scripture can expect honour in the Hereafter if they remain weak and humiliated in this life. Worldly outcomes, in this sense, mirror spiritual realities.
Yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi qad jaaa'akum Rasoolunaa yubaiyinu lakum 'alaa fatratim minal Rusuli an taqooloo maa jaaa'anaa mim basheerinw wa laa nazeerin faqad jaaa'akum basheerunw wa nazeer; wallaahu 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer
O People of the Book! Now has come to you, making [things] clear to you, Our Messenger, after the break in [the series of] our messengers, lest you should say: "There came to us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner [from evil]": But now has come to you a bringer of glad tidings and a warner [from evil]. And Allah is over all things competent.
Commentary of verse 5:19
In truth, a crop flourishing in the soil or a tree rising tall and green from the earth is no less miraculous than a platter descending from the clouds. The only difference is that one occurs behind the veil of natural processes, while the other would be openly supernatural. God tests us by concealing His hand within the workings of nature. Our challenge is to see through that veil—to recognise that the wheat rising from the ground is, in essence, descending from the heavens. A person who insists on witnessing the miraculous before believing is essentially refusing the test itself. They demand proof without effort, grace without trial. But that is not how God's system works. Faith requires vision beyond the visible.
Qa iz qaala Moosaa liqawmihee yaa qawmiz kuroo ni'matal laahi 'alaikum iz ja'ala feekum mulookanw wa aataakum maa lam yu'ti ahadam minal 'aalameen
Remember Moses said to his people: "O my people! Call in remembrance the favour of Allah to you, when He produced prophets among you, made you kings, and gave you what He had not given to any other among the peoples.
Commentary of verses 5:20 to 5:24
God chooses certain communities to carry His message forward. He sends them prophets and scriptures, entrusting them with the sacred duty of conveying His guidance to others. Just as individuals are selected for prophethood, communities are selected for stewardship. In ancient times, the Children of Israel held this role. After the final Prophet, his followers inherited it. God not only expects this community to uphold His religion, but also grants them worldly honour and strength—so that people may see in this life what will be true in the next: that those who follow truth will be elevated, and others subdued. However, these worldly blessings are not unconditional. The chosen community must first prove its worthiness through trial. It must demonstrate unwavering faith in God under all circumstances, submitting fully to His will, even when patience is stretched to breaking point.
Yaa qawmid khulul Ardal MMuqaddasatal latee katabal laahu lakum wa laa tartaddoo 'alaaa adbaarikum fatanqaliboo khaasireen
"O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah has assigned to you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will you be overthrown, to your own ruin."
Commentary of verses 5:20 to 5:24
God chooses certain communities to carry His message forward. He sends them prophets and scriptures, entrusting them with the sacred duty of conveying His guidance to others. Just as individuals are selected for prophethood, communities are selected for stewardship. In ancient times, the Children of Israel held this role. After the final Prophet, his followers inherited it. God not only expects this community to uphold His religion, but also grants them worldly honour and strength—so that people may see in this life what will be true in the next: that those who follow truth will be elevated, and others subdued. However, these worldly blessings are not unconditional. The chosen community must first prove its worthiness through trial. It must demonstrate unwavering faith in God under all circumstances, submitting fully to His will, even when patience is stretched to breaking point.
Qaaloo yaa Moosaaa innaa feehaa qwman jabbaareena wa innaa lan nadkhulahaa hattaa yakhrujoo minhaa fa innaa daakhiloon
They said: "O Moses! In this land are a people of exceeding strength: Never shall we enter it until they leave it: if [once] they leave, then shall we enter."
Commentary of verses 5:20 to 5:24
God chooses certain communities to carry His message forward. He sends them prophets and scriptures, entrusting them with the sacred duty of conveying His guidance to others. Just as individuals are selected for prophethood, communities are selected for stewardship. In ancient times, the Children of Israel held this role. After the final Prophet, his followers inherited it. God not only expects this community to uphold His religion, but also grants them worldly honour and strength—so that people may see in this life what will be true in the next: that those who follow truth will be elevated, and others subdued. However, these worldly blessings are not unconditional. The chosen community must first prove its worthiness through trial. It must demonstrate unwavering faith in God under all circumstances, submitting fully to His will, even when patience is stretched to breaking point.
Qaala rajulaani minal lazeena yakhaafoona an'amal laahu 'alaihimad khuloo 'alaihimul baab, fa izaa dakhaltumoohu fa innakum ghaaliboon; wa 'alal laahi fatawakkalooo in kuntum mu'mineen
[But] among [their] Allah-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His grace: They said: "Assault them at the [proper] Gate: when once you are in, victory will be yours; But on Allah put your trust if you have faith."
Commentary of verses 5:20 to 5:24
God chooses certain communities to carry His message forward. He sends them prophets and scriptures, entrusting them with the sacred duty of conveying His guidance to others. Just as individuals are selected for prophethood, communities are selected for stewardship. In ancient times, the Children of Israel held this role. After the final Prophet, his followers inherited it. God not only expects this community to uphold His religion, but also grants them worldly honour and strength—so that people may see in this life what will be true in the next: that those who follow truth will be elevated, and others subdued. However, these worldly blessings are not unconditional. The chosen community must first prove its worthiness through trial. It must demonstrate unwavering faith in God under all circumstances, submitting fully to His will, even when patience is stretched to breaking point.
Qaaloo yaa Moosaaa innaa lan nadkhulahaa abadam maa daamoo feehaa fazhab anta wa Rabbuka faqaatilaaa innaa haahunaa qaa'idoon
They said: "O Moses! while they remain there, never shall we be able to enter, to the end of time. Go you, and your Lord, and fight you two, while we sit here [and watch]."
Commentary of verses 5:20 to 5:24
God chooses certain communities to carry His message forward. He sends them prophets and scriptures, entrusting them with the sacred duty of conveying His guidance to others. Just as individuals are selected for prophethood, communities are selected for stewardship. In ancient times, the Children of Israel held this role. After the final Prophet, his followers inherited it. God not only expects this community to uphold His religion, but also grants them worldly honour and strength—so that people may see in this life what will be true in the next: that those who follow truth will be elevated, and others subdued. However, these worldly blessings are not unconditional. The chosen community must first prove its worthiness through trial. It must demonstrate unwavering faith in God under all circumstances, submitting fully to His will, even when patience is stretched to breaking point.
Qaala Rabbi innee laaa amliku illaa nafsee wa akhee fafruq bainanaa wa bainal qawmil faasiqeen
He said: "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother: so separate us from this rebellious people!"
Commentary of verses 5:25 to 5:26
After the Exodus, Moses led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, where the tyrannical Amalekites ruled. God informed them that the oppressors' time had ended and that they should enter and, with divine help, prevail with little resistance. Yet the Israelites were paralysed by fear. They refused to advance, valuing human power over divine promise. In that moment, they lost their worth in God's sight. As consequence, they were condemned to wander the desert for forty years, during which the fearful generation—all those aged twenty and above—would perish. A new generation, shaped by hardship, would rise in their place. And so it happened. Under Joshua's leadership, the children of those who had refused now conquered the land their fathers had fled. Ironically, the fathers had feared their children would become captives; instead, those very children became conquerors. Why? Because the desert forged them. Harsh conditions awaken a person's deepest strengths. Comfort can deaden a people, but struggle revives them. The Israelites had grown soft in Egypt. The wilderness remade them—instilling courage, simplicity, realism, and resilience. Sometimes, what seems like a curse is actually the condition for renewal.
Allah said: "Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years: In distraction will they wander through the land: But sorrow you not over these rebellious people.
Commentary of verses 5:25 to 5:26
After the Exodus, Moses led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, where the tyrannical Amalekites ruled. God informed them that the oppressors' time had ended and that they should enter and, with divine help, prevail with little resistance. Yet the Israelites were paralysed by fear. They refused to advance, valuing human power over divine promise. In that moment, they lost their worth in God's sight. As consequence, they were condemned to wander the desert for forty years, during which the fearful generation—all those aged twenty and above—would perish. A new generation, shaped by hardship, would rise in their place. And so it happened. Under Joshua's leadership, the children of those who had refused now conquered the land their fathers had fled. Ironically, the fathers had feared their children would become captives; instead, those very children became conquerors. Why? Because the desert forged them. Harsh conditions awaken a person's deepest strengths. Comfort can deaden a people, but struggle revives them. The Israelites had grown soft in Egypt. The wilderness remade them—instilling courage, simplicity, realism, and resilience. Sometimes, what seems like a curse is actually the condition for renewal.
Watlu 'alaihim naba abnai Aadama bilhaqq; iz qarrabaa qurbaanan fatuqubbila min ahadihimaa wa lam yutaqabbal minal aakhari qaala la aqtulannnaka qaala innamaa yataqabbalul laahu minal muttaqeen
Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. And [mention]! they each presented a sacrifice [to Allah]: It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay you." "Surely," said the former, "Allah does accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous.
Commentary of verse 5:27
When scripture-bearing communities lose their way, they abandon the eternal, clear-cut teachings of their books and cling instead to peripheral matters—cultural customs or narrow rulings meant only for specific times and places. This leads to internal conflict, division, and eventual ruin. Such groups grow dissatisfied with the straightforward commandments given by God and His prophets. They reinterpret, add to, or subtract from the religion to suit personal inclinations or changing fashions. Sometimes this is done to justify worldly desires; sometimes out of a misguided attempt to 'perfect' what they see as incomplete; sometimes merely to keep pace with the age. The result is always the same: new versions of the faith emerge—spiritual sects, political movements, each claiming authenticity. Like-minded followers gather around each innovation, and over time these invented forms harden into tradition. Later generations inherit them, treat them as sacred, and defend them as if they were divine. Eventually, these fabricated divisions become entrenched, even venerated. Sectarianism, dressed in religious garb, becomes a licence for hatred and violence—yet is mistakenly believed to carry God's approval.
La'im basatta ilaiya yadaka litaqtulanee maaa ana bibaasitiny yadiya ilaika li aqtulaka inneee akhaaful laaha Rabbal 'aalameen
"If you do stretch your hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against you to slay you: for I do fear Allah, the cherisher of the worlds.
Commentary of verse 5:28
The People of the Book made two critical errors. First, they removed or distorted essential teachings—claiming, for instance, that no further prophet was needed and that lineage alone guaranteed salvation. Second, they burdened themselves with restrictions God never commanded, inventing elaborate rituals through scholarly interpretation that had no basis in revelation. The Qur'an came as a mercy to correct both mistakes. It restored what had been lost and lifted what had been falsely imposed. It pulled them out of a self-made darkness they mistook for the path to Paradise, when in fact it led only to divine displeasure. On one hand, it revived their original teachings; on the other, it freed them from invented obligations. Now the choice is clear: those who follow their desires remain lost in confusion, while those who seek God's pleasure find the straight path. Truth and falsehood are made distinct—not through coercion, but through reason. Yet reason only moves those whose hearts remain open. The false deities people invent possess no power to create or destroy. This alone proves there is no god but the One. How can powerless beings ever be considered divine?
Inee ureedu an tabooo'a bi ismee wa ismika fatakoona min Ashaabin Naar; wa zaalika jazaaa'uz zaalimeen
"For me, I intend to let you draw on thyself my sin as well as yours, for you will be among the companions of the fire, and that is the reward of those who do wrong."
Commentary of verses 5:28 to 5:29
The true reward for deeds done sincerely for God comes in the Hereafter. Yet sometimes, even in this world, signs appear indicating whether one's actions have been accepted. This was the case with Adam's two sons, Abel and Cain. Abel's offering from his flocks was accepted and blessed; Cain's crops were not. Consumed by jealousy, Cain threatened to kill his brother. Abel responded calmly, telling him the offering was rejected not due to favouritism, but because Cain lacked sincere reverence for God. He urged reform, not revenge. But envy blinds the heart to truth. Abel made clear he would not raise a hand in retaliation, even if attacked, for God had forbidden one believer from fighting another. If a Muslim sought to harm him, he would not reciprocate, thereby preventing the spiral of violence that poisons communities. When two believers turn on each other, both share the blame. But when one attacks and the other remains patient and prayerful, the aggressor alone bears not only his own sin, but also the burden of any wrongdoing his victim might have committed had he chosen to fight back.
The [selfish] soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him, and became [himself] one of the lost ones.
Commentary of verses 5:30 to 5:31
Everything granted to a person comes from God. When jealousy drives someone to harm another who appears more fortunate, they attempt to oppose God's decree. Though such behaviour is permitted in this world of trial, it is deeply sinful before God. Abel reminded Cain of this truth, which briefly unsettled him. Cain realised his desire to kill was unjustified, yet jealousy persisted. He fabricated justifications and ultimately silenced his conscience, committing the murder. Conscience is God's voice, and its stirrings are tests. Success lies in heeding it, not suppressing it with false excuses.
Prophetic tradition teaches that oppression and the killing of kin are punished in this world as well as the next. Cain's fate demonstrates this: according to Mujahid, his leg became fused to his thigh, leaving him to die in misery and disgrace. A crow then taught him to bury the body, showing that man, when ruled by emotion, lacks even the instinct of animals. The lesson is clear: evil intentions should be buried in the heart before they are enacted. Once acted upon, shame and regret are inevitable, and the act cannot be undone.
Faba'asal laahu ghuraabai yabhasu fil ardi liyuriyahoo kaifa yuwaaree sawata akheeh; qaala yaa wailataaa a'ajaztu an akoona misla haazal ghuraabi fa uwaariya saw ata akhee fa asbaha minan naadimeen
Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. "Woe is me!" said he; "Was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother?" then he became full of regrets-
Commentary of verses 5:30 to 5:31
Everything granted to a person comes from God. When jealousy drives someone to harm another who appears more fortunate, they attempt to oppose God's decree. Though such behaviour is permitted in this world of trial, it is deeply sinful before God. Abel reminded Cain of this truth, which briefly unsettled him. Cain realised his desire to kill was unjustified, yet jealousy persisted. He fabricated justifications and ultimately silenced his conscience, committing the murder. Conscience is God's voice, and its stirrings are tests. Success lies in heeding it, not suppressing it with false excuses.
Prophetic tradition teaches that oppression and the killing of kin are punished in this world as well as the next. Cain's fate demonstrates this: according to Mujahid, his leg became fused to his thigh, leaving him to die in misery and disgrace. A crow then taught him to bury the body, showing that man, when ruled by emotion, lacks even the instinct of animals. The lesson is clear: evil intentions should be buried in the heart before they are enacted. Once acted upon, shame and regret are inevitable, and the act cannot be undone.
min ajli zaalika katabnaa 'alaa Banee Israaa'eela annahoo man qatala nnafsam bighairi nafsin aw fasaadin fil ardi faka annnamaa qatalan fil ardi faka annammaa qatalan naasa jamee'anw wa man ahyaahaa faka annamaaa ahyan naasa jamee'aa; wa laqad jaaa'at hum Rusulunaa bilbaiyinaati summa inna kaseeram minhum ba'da zaalika fil ardi lamusrifoon
On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading corruption in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.
Then although there came to them Our messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.
Commentary of verse 5:32
No community is inherently favoured by God. Divine judgement is individual, based on deeds, not group identity. Each person, regardless of origin, is assessed according to their actions in this test of life. Paradise is not reserved for any people, nor is hell designated for any particular group. God raises individuals to convey life's realities, warn of hellfire, and bring glad tidings of paradise. Finding God's favour depends on supporting and cooperating with these messengers. Salvation is achieved through sincere response to divine guidance, not through communal affiliation alone.
Innamaa jazaaa'ul lazeena yuhaariboonal laaha wa Rasoolahoo wa yas'awna fil ardi fasaadan ai yuqattalooo aw yusallabooo aw tuqatta'a aideehim wa arjuluhum min khilaafin aw yunfaw minalard; zaalika lahum khizyun fid dunyaa wa lahum fil Aakhirati 'azaabun 'azeem
The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for corruption through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
Commentary of verse 5:33
In normal times, people often follow God's commands. Yet under pressure—especially when provoked or opposed—character can shift. A person who seemed God-fearing may suddenly act without restraint, abandoning justice in pursuit of revenge. Such vindictive behaviour is never justified before God, even in retaliation for being barred from sacred pilgrimage. Supporting someone engaged in such oppression amounts to aiding sin. Those who truly fear God support only righteous actions. In a world where wrongdoers often hold worldly power, supporting the righteous path is difficult, yet it is by this very test that one's eternal fate is determined.
Illal lazeena taaboo min qabli an taqdiroo 'alaihim fa'lamooo annnal laaha Ghafoorur Raheem
Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Commentary of verses 5:33 to 5:35
The greatest attainment for any person is closeness to God. This nearness will be fully realised in the Hereafter, but can be experienced in this life as spiritual tranquillity through righteous deeds. The path to this closeness is twofold: sincere worship rooted in consciousness of God (taqwa), and striving earnestly in His cause (jihad). Both devotion and effort are required to draw near to the Divine.
O you who have believed, Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach to Him, and strive with might and main in his cause: that you may be successful.
Commentary of verses 5:33 to 5:35
The greatest attainment for any person is closeness to God. This nearness will be fully realised in the Hereafter, but can be experienced in this life as spiritual tranquillity through righteous deeds. The path to this closeness is twofold: sincere worship rooted in consciousness of God (taqwa), and striving earnestly in His cause (jihad). Both devotion and effort are required to draw near to the Divine.
Innal lazeena kafaroo law anna lahum maa fil ardi jamee'anw wa mislahoo ma'ahoo liyaftadoo bihee min 'azaabi Yawmil Qiyaamati maa tuqubbila minhum wa lahum azaabun aleem
As to those who disbelieve, if they had everything on earth, and twice repeated, to give as ransom for the punishment of the Day of Judgement, it would never be accepted of them, theirs would be a painful punishment.
Commentary of verses 5:36 to 5:37
God has designed the world so that each being fulfils its role without interfering in others' domains. All inanimate objects and animals naturally follow this law. Humans have been given similar guidance through prophets, but unlike other creatures, they possess free will and sometimes rebel, disrupting the natural order. Such individuals become the gravest offenders before God. Those who openly declare war against God and His Messenger are even worse, frequently engaging in acts of terrorism that defy God's call for peace and harmony within creation. For them, severe punishment awaits both in this world and in the blazing fire of the Hereafter.
Yureedoona ai yakhrujoo minan Naari wa maa hum bikhaari jeena minhaa wa lahum 'azaabum muqeem
Their wish will be to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out therefrom: their punishment will be one that endures.
Commentary of verses 5:36 to 5:37
God has designed the world so that each being fulfils its role without interfering in others' domains. All inanimate objects and animals naturally follow this law. Humans have been given similar guidance through prophets, but unlike other creatures, they possess free will and sometimes rebel, disrupting the natural order. Such individuals become the gravest offenders before God. Those who openly declare war against God and His Messenger are even worse, frequently engaging in acts of terrorism that defy God's call for peace and harmony within creation. For them, severe punishment awaits both in this world and in the blazing fire of the Hereafter.
As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.
Commentary of verses 5:38 to 5:40
The highest achievement is closeness to God, fully realised in the Hereafter but tasted in this life through spiritual peace that follows righteous deeds. This nearness is attained through God-consciousness (taqwa) and striving for His cause (jihad). Life presents moments when a person stands between truth and falsehood. Choosing truth often demands sacrificing pride and worldly security, whereas falsehood seems comfortable and safe. Those who fear God and choose truth—enduring every hardship—attain divine nearness, felt as profound spiritual satisfaction. Those unwilling to make this choice drift away, inviting suffering from which there is no escape.
Islamic penal laws address both punishment and deterrence. Yet if a criminal sincerely repents, seeks God's forgiveness, and reforms completely, there is hope for pardon in the Hereafter. No force besides God's will can alter destiny; no intercession overrides His wisdom. Reward and punishment rest entirely in His hands, and His decision is final and just.
Faman taaba mim ba'di zulmihee wa aslaha fa innal laaha yatoobu 'alaih; innal laaha Ghafoorur Raheem
But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turns to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Commentary of verses 5:38 to 5:40
The highest achievement is closeness to God, fully realised in the Hereafter but tasted in this life through spiritual peace that follows righteous deeds. This nearness is attained through God-consciousness (taqwa) and striving for His cause (jihad). Life presents moments when a person stands between truth and falsehood. Choosing truth often demands sacrificing pride and worldly security, whereas falsehood seems comfortable and safe. Those who fear God and choose truth—enduring every hardship—attain divine nearness, felt as profound spiritual satisfaction. Those unwilling to make this choice drift away, inviting suffering from which there is no escape.
Islamic penal laws address both punishment and deterrence. Yet if a criminal sincerely repents, seeks God's forgiveness, and reforms completely, there is hope for pardon in the Hereafter. No force besides God's will can alter destiny; no intercession overrides His wisdom. Reward and punishment rest entirely in His hands, and His decision is final and just.
Alam ta'lam annal laaha lahoo mulkus samaawaati wal ardi yu'az zibu many-yashaa'u wa yaghfiru limany-yashaaa'; wallaahu 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer
Know you not that to Allah [alone] belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He pleases, and He forgives whom He pleases: and Allah is over all things competent.
Commentary of verses 5:38 to 5:40
The highest achievement is closeness to God, fully realised in the Hereafter but tasted in this life through spiritual peace that follows righteous deeds. This nearness is attained through God-consciousness (taqwa) and striving for His cause (jihad). Life presents moments when a person stands between truth and falsehood. Choosing truth often demands sacrificing pride and worldly security, whereas falsehood seems comfortable and safe. Those who fear God and choose truth—enduring every hardship—attain divine nearness, felt as profound spiritual satisfaction. Those unwilling to make this choice drift away, inviting suffering from which there is no escape.
Islamic penal laws address both punishment and deterrence. Yet if a criminal sincerely repents, seeks God's forgiveness, and reforms completely, there is hope for pardon in the Hereafter. No force besides God's will can alter destiny; no intercession overrides His wisdom. Reward and punishment rest entirely in His hands, and His decision is final and just.
Yaaa ayyuhar Rasoolu laa yahzukal lazeena yusaa ri'oona fil kufri minal lazeena qaaloo aamannaa bi afwaahihim wa lam tu'min quloobuhum; wa minal lazeena haadoo sammaa'oona lilkazibi sammaa'oona liqawmin aakhareena lam yaatooka yuharifoonal kalima mim ba'di mawaadi'ihee yaqooloona in ooteetum haazaa fakhuzoohu wa il lam tu'tawhu fahzaroo; wa many-yuridil laahu fitnatahoo falan tamlika lahoo minal laahi shai'aa; ulaaa 'ikal lazeena lam yuridil laahu any-yutahhira quloobahum; lahum fid dunyaa khizyunw wa lahum fil Aakhirati'azaabun 'azeem
O Messenger! let not those grieve you, who race each other into unbelief: [whether it be] among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have no faith; or it be among the Jews, men who will listen to any lie, will listen even to others who have never so much as come to you.
They change the words from their [right] times and places: they say, "If you are given this, take it, but if not, beware!" If any one's trial is intended by Allah, you have no authority in the least for him against Allah. For such - it is not Allah's will to purify their hearts.
For them there is disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a heavy punishment.
Commentary of verse 5:41
All that anyone possesses is given by God. To envy another's blessings and cause them harm is to oppose God's plan. Though such people are granted freedom in this world of trial, they are the gravest sinners in God's sight. Abel warned Cain of this, causing him momentary doubt. Cain knew he had no justification for killing his brother, yet jealousy persisted. He devised false reasons to silence his conscience, and ultimately acted on his hatred. Conscience is God's voice within us, and doubts about our actions are divine tests. Success lies in heeding that voice; failure comes from silencing it with self-serving excuses.
Sammaa'oona lilkazibi akkaaloona lissuht; fa in jaaa'ooka fahkum bainahum aw a'rid anhum wa in tu'rid 'anhum falany-yadurrooka shai'anw wa in hakamta fahkum bainahum bilqist; innal laaha yuhibbul muqsiteen
[They are fond of] listening to falsehood, of devouring anything forbidden. If they do come to you, either judge between them, or decline to interfere. If you decline, they cannot hurt you in the least. If you judge, judge in equity between them. For Allah loves those who judge in equity.
Commentary of verse 5:42
The Prophet Muhammad taught the same faith as Abraham, the very religion the Jews and Christians claimed to follow. Why, then, did they turn away from him? Because his message called people to take on the hue of God and devote themselves entirely to Him. For the People of the Book, religion had become a symbol of national pride. The Prophet's message threatened that pride, so they opposed him. Those who view their race as superior cannot accept truth when it appears among another people. They would believe in prophets from their own community but rejected those from elsewhere. In contrast, those who worship God sincerely recognise truth wherever it appears, no matter who delivers it. Had the theologians been sincere, they would have acknowledged Muhammad as God's final messenger. But they valued their own status more than the truth. Just as people of old were judged individually, so too will later generations be held accountable for their own deeds. Truth is a personal matter, not ancestral. The People of the Book wrongly believed that future generations would be rewarded for their forefathers' righteousness, or burdened by their sins. Such ideas have no basis. Everyone will be judged solely by their own actions.
Wa kaifa yuhakkimoonaka wa 'indahumut Tawraatu feehaa hukmul laahi summa yatawallawna mim ba'di zaalik; wa maaa ulaaa'ika bilmu'mineen
But why do they come to you for decision, when they have [their own] law before them?- therein is the [plain] command of Allah; yet even after that, they would turn away. For they are not [really] People of Faith.
Commentary of verses 5:43 to 5:48
For faith to please God, it must resemble that of the Prophet's Companions. What made their faith special was that it was belief in truth for its own sake, not because of tradition or heritage. In a society that revered ancient prophets and treated centuries-old customs as sacred, accepting the Prophet Muhammad's message meant embracing truth in its purest form, without the weight of history behind it. Unlike the revered figures of the past, the Prophet came fresh to the world, with no established tradition to support him. Those who accepted his message did so simply because it was the truth. This is the kind of faith God recognises and accepts—sincere, pure, and unshakeable. Only such belief is truly worthy of His approval.
Innaaa anzalnat Tawraata feehaa hudanw wa noor; yahkumu bihan Nabiyyoonal lazeena aslamoo lillazeena haadoo war rabbaaniyyoona wal ahbaaru bimas tuhfizoo min Kitaabil laahi wa kaanoo 'alaihi shuhadaaa'; falaa takhshawun naasa wakhshawni wa laa tashtaroo bi aayaatee samanan qaleelaa; wa mal lam yahkum bimaaa anzalal laahu fa ulaaa'ika humul kaafiroon
It was We who revealed the law [to Moses]: therein was guidance and light.
By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed [as in Islam] to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price.
If any do fail to judge by [the light of] what Allah has revealed, they are [no better than] Disbelievers.
Commentary of verse 5:44
Certain animals are forbidden as food due to health and moral considerations. Pork is prohibited for this reason. Similarly, parts of animals unfit for consumption—such as blood—are forbidden. Islam prescribes a specific method of slaughter (dhabh) to ensure blood is fully drained, as other methods leave it absorbed in the flesh. For the same reason, carrion is prohibited, since blood remains within a dead animal's body. Meat associated with polytheistic practices—such as animals slaughtered in names other than God's, or as offerings to other deities—is also forbidden. Yet God, in His mercy, permits a starving person to consume otherwise forbidden food to preserve life.
The phrase 'Today I have perfected your religion for you' refers to the completion of revelation, not the perfection of religion itself, which has always been complete in every era. God has never sent imperfect religion. This verse marks the conclusion of Quranic revelation. The community following the Quran has been strengthened internally, safeguarding it from external threats. Any future harm will stem from internal weaknesses, not outside attacks. The greatest protection against such weakness is maintaining sincere fear and consciousness of God.
Wa katabnaa 'alaihim feehaaa annan nafsa binnafsi wal'aina bil'aini wal anfa bilanfi wal uzuna bil uzuni wassinna bissinni waljurooha qisaas; faman tasaddaqa bihee fahuwa kaffaaratul lah; wa mal lam yahkum bimaaa anzalal laahu fa ulaaa'ika humuz zalimoon
We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by [the light of] what Allah has revealed, they are [No better than] wrongdoers.
Commentary of verses 5:45 to 5:47
Islamic justice must be applied equally to all, regardless of status or position. Yet the law recognises that harm may sometimes arise not from malice, but from accident or emotional turmoil. In such cases, if the injured party chooses to forgive the wrongdoer, this act of mercy is considered noble. It softens hearts, heals relationships, and encourages a spirit of compassion and generosity within the community. Forgiveness, where appropriate, strengthens social bonds and promotes a culture of understanding and tolerance.
Wa qaffainaa 'alaaa aasaaarihim bi 'Eesab ni Maryama musaddiqal limaa baina yadihi minat Tawraati wa aatainaahul Injeela feehi hudanw wa noorunw wa musaddiqal limaa baina yadaihi minat Tawraati wa hudanw wa maw'izatal lilmuttaqeen
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an reminder to those who fear Allah.
Commentary of verses 5:45 to 5:47
Islamic justice must be applied equally to all, regardless of status or position. Yet the law recognises that harm may sometimes arise not from malice, but from accident or emotional turmoil. In such cases, if the injured party chooses to forgive the wrongdoer, this act of mercy is considered noble. It softens hearts, heals relationships, and encourages a spirit of compassion and generosity within the community. Forgiveness, where appropriate, strengthens social bonds and promotes a culture of understanding and tolerance.
Walyahkum Ahlul Injeeli bimaaa anzalal laahu feeh; wa mal lam yahkum bimaaa anzalal laahu fa ulaaa'ika humul faasiqoon
Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by [the light of] what Allah has revealed, they are [no better than] those who rebel.
Commentary of verse 5:47
Taking a human life is not merely the destruction of one individual, but an attack on the sanctity of all life. It violates the principle that human dignity is inviolable. Likewise, saving a person from oppression is not just an act of kindness towards one, but the protection of a fundamental right that safeguards everyone. Violence tears apart the moral fabric of society, creating disorder and fear. It is the duty of Muslims to treat even a single act of aggression as a serious threat to the entire community. Respect for life develops over generations and, once lost, is difficult to restore. Those who sow the seeds of violence are therefore enemies of civilisation itself.
Wa anzalnaa ilaikal Kitaaba bilhaqqi musaddiqallimaa baina yadaihi minal Kitaabi wa muhaiminan 'alaihi fahkum bainahum bimaa anzalal laahu wa laa tattabi ahwaaa'ahum 'ammaa jaaa'aka minal haqq; likullin ja'alnaa minkum shir'atanw wa minhaajaa; wa law shaaa'al laahu laja'alakum ummatanw waahidatanw wa laakil liyabluwakum fee maa aataakum fastabiqul khairaat; ilal laahi arji'ukum jamee'an fayunab bi'ukum bimaa kuntum feehi takhtalifoon
To you We sent the Book in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that has come to you. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way.
If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but [His plan is] to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which you dispute;
Commentary of verses 5:43 to 5:48
For faith to please God, it must resemble that of the Prophet's Companions. What made their faith special was that it was belief in truth for its own sake, not because of tradition or heritage. In a society that revered ancient prophets and treated centuries-old customs as sacred, accepting the Prophet Muhammad's message meant embracing truth in its purest form, without the weight of history behind it. Unlike the revered figures of the past, the Prophet came fresh to the world, with no established tradition to support him. Those who accepted his message did so simply because it was the truth. This is the kind of faith God recognises and accepts—sincere, pure, and unshakeable. Only such belief is truly worthy of His approval.
Wa anih kum bainahum bimaaa anzalal laahu wa laa tattabi' ahwaaa'ahum wahzarhum ai yaftinooka 'am ba'di maaa anzalal laahu ilaika fa in tawallaw fa'lam annamaa yureedul laahu ai yuseebahum biba'di zunoobihim; wa inna kaseeram minan naasi lafaasiqoon
And this [He commands]: Judge you between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that [teaching] which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious.
Commentary of verse 5:49
The qiblah, the direction Muslims face in prayer, relates to the form rather than the essence of worship. It provides structure and unity. God may change it as He wills, for He is present in every direction. Before Islam, people prayed towards Jerusalem, a direction that had become regarded as sacred and unchangeable. In the second year after the Prophet's migration to Madinah, God commanded him to face Makkah instead. Some found this difficult to accept, questioning how a new direction could replace one established for so long. Opponents of Islam spread rumours, claiming the Prophet contradicted earlier prophets or lacked conviction. Others mocked him, suggesting Muslims' previous prayers towards Jerusalem had been wasted. True believers were not troubled by such objections. They understood that what mattered was not the direction itself, but obedience to God's command. God could decree any qiblah at any time, and whatever He prescribed should be followed. The revelation came seventeen months after the migration, while the Prophet was leading prayers. Immediately, he and his companions turned from Jerusalem to Makkah, demonstrating their total submission to God's will.
Afahukmal jaahiliyyati yabghoon; wa man ahsanu minal laahi hukmal liqawminy yooqinoon
Do they then seek after a judgement of [the days of] ignorance? But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgement than Allah?
Commentary of verse 5:50
For thousands of years, prophets served as intermediaries, receiving guidance from God and conveying it to humanity. This chain ended with the Prophet Muhammad. Yet even after prophethood ceased, the task of communicating God's message to people continues. Every generation must be told about the reality of life and divine commandments before they depart this world. After the Prophet's death, this responsibility passed to the Muslim community. Muslims now occupy the position once held by the prophets, standing between God and the people. This is not a reward, but a profound duty. All Muslim planning must be centred on dawah, the call to faith. Muslims must be passionate about this mission, making it their foremost goal and ready to sacrifice for it. The change of qiblah symbolised that God had transferred spiritual leadership from the Children of Israel to the followers of Muhammad. The Ka'bah will remain, until the end of time, the focal point for the call to divine religion. Muslims are the 'middle nation', intermediaries tasked with conveying God's word to humankind, just as the Prophet did. This responsibility is eternal. The Muslim community's success, in this world and the next, depends on how faithfully they fulfil it.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tattakhizul Yahooda wan nasaaraaa awliyaaa'; ba'duhum awliyaaa'u ba'd; wa mai yatawallahum minkum fa innahoo minhum; innal laaha laa yahdil qawmaz zaalimeen
O you who have believed, take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them [for friendship] is of them. Indeed Allah guides not a people unjust.
Commentary of verse 5:51
The Prophet Muhammad did not alter the practice of previous prophets until he received divine instruction. Following this principle, he initially prayed towards Jerusalem, as prophets since Solomon had done. Islam's arrival signalled the removal of the Jews from their role as bearers of the true faith. The faith needed to be distinguished clearly from Jewish tradition and presented in its pure form. For this reason, the Prophet eagerly awaited the command to change the qiblah. In the second year after his migration to Madinah, the instruction came. Earlier prophets from among the Jews had foretold that God would one day change the qiblah, and Jewish scholars knew this. They should have expected it. Yet only a few, such as Abdullah ibn Salam and Mukhairiq, confirmed the truth of this commandment and acknowledged Muhammad as God's messenger. The majority refused to follow him because they were accustomed to acting according to their own desires. They held romantic notions about their people's special status and built their lives around these ideas. Those who indulge their whims will never follow the path of reason. In their stubbornness, they seek satisfaction in denying God's signs, when God intended them to find fulfilment in accepting them.
Fataral lazeena fee quloobihim maraduny yusaari'oona feehim yaqooloona nakhshaaa an tuseebanaa daaa'irah; fa'asallaahu ai yaatiya bilfathi aw amrim min 'indihee fa yusbihoo 'alaa maaa asarroo feee anfusihim naadimeen
Those in whose hearts is a disease - you se how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying: "We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster." Ah! perhaps Allah will give [you] victory, or a decision according to His will. Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts.
Commentary of verses 5:52 to 5:53
Every trial in this world tests one's sincerity and resolve. A person must demonstrate true intention by taking the first step towards God, even when faced with danger or difficulty. Once this effort is made, divine help follows. But those who hesitate, waiting for conditions to become easy, are considered transgressors. They cannot expect God's support without showing commitment. Faith demands action. A believer's life is one of purpose and struggle, centred on calling others to the path of God. The mission is clear: to guide humanity away from destruction and towards salvation. This is not a passive existence, but an active, conscious effort to fulfil a sacred duty.
Wa yaqoolul lazeena aamanooo ahaaa'ulaaa'il lazeena aqsamoo billaahi jahda aimaanihim innahum lama'akum; habitat a'maaluhum fa asbahoo khaasireen
And those who believe will say: "Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by Allah, that they were with you?" All that they do will be in vain, and they will fall into [nothing but] ruin.
Commentary of verses 5:52 to 5:53
Every trial in this world tests one's sincerity and resolve. A person must demonstrate true intention by taking the first step towards God, even when faced with danger or difficulty. Once this effort is made, divine help follows. But those who hesitate, waiting for conditions to become easy, are considered transgressors. They cannot expect God's support without showing commitment. Faith demands action. A believer's life is one of purpose and struggle, centred on calling others to the path of God. The mission is clear: to guide humanity away from destruction and towards salvation. This is not a passive existence, but an active, conscious effort to fulfil a sacred duty.
Yaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo mai yartadda minkum 'an deenihee fasawfa yaatil laahu biqawminy yuhibbuhum wa yuhibboonahoo azillatin 'alal mu'mineena a'izzatin 'alal kaafireena yujaahidoona fee sabeelil laahi wa laa yakhaafoona lawmata laaa'im; zaalika fadlul laahi yu'teehi mai yashaaa'; wallaahu Waasi'un 'Aleem
O you who have believed, if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the path of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault.
That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleases. And Allah encompasses all, and He knows all things.
Commentary of verse 5:54
When God sends His truth into the world, it arrives with unmistakable clarity. Anyone seeking sincerely will recognise it. Those who turn away reveal they never truly knew God—for if they had, they would have heard His voice in His message.
Some reject divine truth with confident arguments, believing themselves on solid ground. Yet soon they realise these were merely illusions, self-made justifications to comfort their own egos.
Innamaa waliyyukumul laahu wa Rasooluhoo wal lazeena aamanul lazeena yuqeemoonas Salaata wa yu'toonaz Zakaata wa hum raaki'oon
Your [real] friends are [no less than] Allah, His Messenger, and the [fellowship of] believers, those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly [in worship].
Commentary of verse 5:55
What is naturally pure, wholesome, and compatible with human well-being is lawful to consume, provided it remains free from harm or impurity according to Islamic guidance. However, human judgement alone is insufficient to apply this principle correctly. That is why the law not only gives the rule, but also its proper application. Animals trained to hunt on behalf of their master are permitted because they act as an extension of human will. They have, in a sense, been shaped by human discipline and purpose, making the catch lawful. The principle is clear, but its implementation requires divine instruction.
Wa mai yatawallal laaha wa Rasoolahoo wallazeena aamanoo fa inna hizbal laahi humul ghaaliboon
As to those who turn [for friendship] to Allah, His Messenger, and the [fellowship of] believers, it is the fellowship of Allah that must certainly triumph.
Commentary of verses 5:55 to 5:56
Claiming faith without living by its demands is, in the sight of God, a betrayal of religion. True believers are those whose hearts are filled with love for Allah, whose devotion shapes every aspect of their lives. They show deep compassion and loyalty towards fellow Muslims and never misuse their abilities against them. The life of faith is purposeful and requires continuous effort. A Muslim's mission is to guide others towards truth and away from ruin. This path naturally invites hardship, opposition, and disgrace. Society divides into two groups: those attached to this world and those focused on the Hereafter. The believer is tested in how he responds to this conflict—whether he relies entirely on God and perseveres, or gives in to pressure. True Muslims remain devoted to prayer, give in charity, and treat others with goodwill. Their humility before God reflects in their conduct. When such people gather in significant numbers, they are destined to prevail.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tattakhizul lazeenat takhazoo deenakum huzuwanw wa la'ibam minal lazeena ootul Kitaaba min qablikum walkuffaara awliyaaa'; wattaqul laaha in kuntum muu'mineen
O you who have believed, take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport, whether among those who received the Book before you, or among those who disbelieve; but fear you Allah, if you have faith [indeed].
Commentary of verse 5:57
In Madinah, two groups resisted the Islamic mission. The hypocrites pretended to accept Islam while secretly opposing it, seeing the message as a threat to their interests. The Jews, who held religious authority, feared losing their influence and prestige. Both joined forces against the truth. The leaders stayed away from the Prophet's gatherings out of arrogance, but sent their followers to listen and report back. These reports were then twisted and misrepresented to discredit Islam. Their pride made them bold enough to distort God's word to suit their purposes. Such people accept only what serves them. This mindset is spiritually fatal. When personal gain and status take priority over truth, the heart becomes sealed. Those who manipulate divine guidance to justify their agendas are abandoned by God. Without His guidance, they remain trapped in falsehood until they meet their reckoning. The messenger of God must not lose heart in the face of opposition. Resistance is ultimately against God, not the individual, and cannot succeed. The duty is simply to convey the message clearly—and with God's help, that is always achieved.
Wa izaa naadaitum ilas Salaatit takhazoohaa huzu wan'w wa la'ibaa; zaalika biannnahum qawmul laa ya'qiloon
When you proclaim your call to prayer they take it [but] as mockery and sport; that is because they are a people without understanding.
Commentary of verse 5:58
The most obvious form of corruption is the direct acceptance of bribes—such as religious scholars who issue false rulings in exchange for money. But there exists a far more insidious type of corruption: distorting religion itself to please people and win their favour. This brings honour, influence, and material reward without any obvious transaction. Presenting faith in its pure form often invites disapproval and resistance. But a version of religion that demands little, disrupts nothing, and promises paradise through shallow gestures becomes extremely popular. Those who offer such comfort draw large followings. The same is true of those who reshape faith to justify nationalistic fervour or communal ambition, allowing people to pursue worldly glory under a religious banner. This is the worst form of corruption, because it poisons the very source of guidance.
Qul yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi hal tanqimoona minnaaa illaaa an aamannaa billaahi wa maaa unzila ilainaa wa maa unzila min qablu wa annna aksarakum faasiqoon
Say: "O people of the Book! Do you disapprove of us for no other reason than that we believe in Allah, and the revelation that has come to us and that which came before [us], and [perhaps] that most of you are rebellious and disobedient?"
Commentary of verse 5:59
The Jewish religious leaders of old had turned faith into a means of worldly gain. They shaped religion to suit people's desires, earning wealth and prestige in return. When the Prophet Muhammad proclaimed the pure message of Islam, it threatened their positions and interests. They refused to listen to anything positive about him, yet eagerly spread any negative rumours they heard.
Such people approach religious matters hoping outcomes will match their personal wishes. When decisions go against them, they reject the guidance—even though they know full well that true authority belongs to God and His Messenger. In doing so, they betray the very essence of faith and Islam itself.
Qul hal unabbi'ukum bisharrim min zaalika masoobatan 'indal laah; malla'ana hul laahu wa ghadiba 'alaihi wa ja'ala minhumul qiradata wal khanaazeera wa 'abadat Taaghoot; ulaaa'ika sharrum makaananw wa adallu 'an Sawaaa'is Sabeel
Say: "Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, [as judged] by the treatment it received from Allah? those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil;- these are [many times] worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!"
Commentary of verse 5:60
God's scripture was revealed to guide humanity from the darkness of selfish desire into the light of truth. The God-conscious treat it as a sacred covenant, knowing they cannot alter its teachings to suit themselves. They uphold it faithfully as a trust.
Divine guidance must be followed in all matters, and disputes resolved according to its instructions. To pay mere lip service whilst following personal whims is to reject God's word entirely. Those who claim to be Muslims yet deliberately violate Islamic law cannot claim God's approval. They have broken their pledge to obey Him and destroyed the truth, making themselves sinners before their Lord.
Wa izaa jaaa'ookum qaalooo aamannaa wa qad dakhaloo bilkufri wa hum qad kharajoo bih; wallaahu a'lamu bimaa kaanoo yaktumoon
When they come to you, they say: "We believe": but in fact they enter with a mind against Faith, and they go out with the same but Allah knows fully all that they hide.
Commentary of verse 5:61
True faith means discovering God and living in perpetual gratitude and remembrance. Such a life brings peace and contentment, though these will only fully blossom in the everlasting world to come. This world is not for reward—it is a testing ground where sincerity is distinguished from pretence.
Life's trials appear in ordinary settings: desires, family obligations, worldly interests, social pressure. Success lies in recognising these tests, staying connected to God through patience and prayer, and holding firm to truth despite all hardship.
Those who preach truth make the greatest sacrifices. They face hostility from those unwilling to be corrected and from hypocrites threatened by sincerity. The preacher risks everything—livelihood, reputation, even life itself. Yet those who lose all for God's sake become the true finders. Those who give their lives for Him inherit eternal life. God has prepared an everlasting paradise for those who refuse to seek paradise in this fleeting world.
Wa taraa kaseeram minhum yusaari'oona fil ismi wal'udwaani wa aklihimus suht; labi'sa maa kaanoo ya'maloon
Many of them do you see, racing each other in sin and rancour, and their eating of things forbidden. Evil indeed are the things that they do.
Commentary of verses 5:62 to 5:63
The religion God truly favours is one of taqwa—living with conscious awareness of Him. This means avoiding sinful speech, shunning forbidden acts, and dealing fairly with others. Yet human selfishness often pulls people towards worldliness, where right and wrong become inconveniences rather than moral imperatives.
The Jewish masses had fallen into this trap. Their leaders should have corrected them, but instead reached a shameful agreement: they would promote a version of religion that required no real change in how people lived. They told comforting stories of Jewish superiority, dressed communal customs in religious garb, and promised paradise in exchange for empty rituals.
Before God, there is no graver sin than spreading such a distorted faith—one that demands outward performance but leaves hearts and lives untransformed.
Law laa yanhaahumur rabbaaniyyoona wal ahbaaru 'an qawlihimul ismaa wa aklihimus suht; labi'sa maa kaanoo yasna'oon
Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of Law forbid them from their [habit of] uttering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed are their works.
Commentary of verses 5:62 to 5:63
The religion God truly favours is one of taqwa—living with conscious awareness of Him. This means avoiding sinful speech, shunning forbidden acts, and dealing fairly with others. Yet human selfishness often pulls people towards worldliness, where right and wrong become inconveniences rather than moral imperatives.
The Jewish masses had fallen into this trap. Their leaders should have corrected them, but instead reached a shameful agreement: they would promote a version of religion that required no real change in how people lived. They told comforting stories of Jewish superiority, dressed communal customs in religious garb, and promised paradise in exchange for empty rituals.
Before God, there is no graver sin than spreading such a distorted faith—one that demands outward performance but leaves hearts and lives untransformed.
Wa qaalatil Yahoodu Yadullaahi maghloolah; ghulla aideehim wa lu'inoo bimaa qaaloo; bal yadaahu mabsoo tataani yunfiqu kaifa yashaaa'; wa la yazeedanna kaseeramm minhum maaa unzila ilaika mir Rabbika tughyaananw wa kufraa; wa alqainaa bainahumul 'adaawata wal baghdaaa a' ilaa Yawmil Qiyaamah; kullamaaa awqadoo naaral lilharbi at fa-ahal laah; wa yas'awna fil ardi fasaadaa; wal laahu laa yuhibbul mufsideen
The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the [blasphemy] they utter. Rather, both His hands are widely outstretched: He gives and spends [of His bounty] as He pleases. But the revelation that comes to you from Allah increases in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy.
Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgement. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah does extinguish it; but they [ever] strive to do corruption on earth. And Allah loves not those who do corruption.
Commentary of verse 5:64
'The Book' refers to religion's core teachings, revealed to all prophets in essence, though with variations in language and specific rulings. These differences do not reflect stages of religious evolution, as if earlier prophets received imperfect guidance later perfected. Rather, over time, inner spiritual truths become obscured by rituals that harden into sacred formalities.
External frameworks were periodically changed to break this cycle—to prevent people mistaking form for substance and directing devotion towards anything but God. The Quran describes this as a test of faith. When the qiblah shifted from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah, it revealed who truly worshipped God versus who worshipped walls. Though such structural changes have ceased with the final Prophet, the underlying purpose remains: genuine worshippers penetrate beyond ritual to connect directly with their Lord, whilst others remain trapped in formalism.
Wa law anna Ahlal Kitaabi aamanoo wattaqaw lakaffarnaa 'anhum saiyiaatihim wa la adkhalnaahu Jannaatin Na'eem
If only the People of the Book had believed and been righteous, We should indeed have blotted out their iniquities and admitted them to gardens of bliss.
Commentary of verse 5:65
The Quran and earlier scriptures are not separate books, but editions of one divine Book—al-kitab. All shared the same essential content, though previous communities failed to preserve them intact. Therefore God revealed the Quran as muhaymin: the authoritative guardian and criterion, enabling believers to distinguish what remains authentic in other scriptures from what has been altered.
Wa law annahum aqaamut Tawraata wal Injeela wa maaa unzila ilaihim mir Rabbihim la akaloo min fawqihim wa min tahti arjulihim; minhum ummatum muqta sidatunw wa kaseerum minhum saaa'a maa ya'maloon
If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil.
Commentary of verse 5:66
No matter how detailed religious law becomes, what ultimately matters is human intention. Laws do not enforce themselves—people do. Without sincere inclination, individuals find ways around even accepted rules. Only fear of God compels proper observance in true spirit, which is why divine commandments emphasise: 'Fear God, for He is swift in reckoning.'
Muslim women may not marry non-Muslim men, but Muslim men may marry women from scriptural communities under certain conditions. The wisdom here recognises women's receptive nature—a Muslim husband and community may influence her towards Islam, making marriage a doorway to faith.
Without faith, good deeds hold no value. True good deeds are performed for God's sake alone. Actions done for self-interest carry no weight with Him—why would God reward deeds done purely for oneself?
Yaaa aiyuhar Rasoolu balligh maaa unzila ilaika mir Rabbika wa il lam taf'al famaaa ballaghta Risaalatah; wallaahu ya'simuka minan naas; innal laaha laa yahdil qawmal kaafireen
O Messenger! proclaim the [message] which has been sent to you from your Lord. If you did not, you would not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend you from men [who mean corruption]. For Allah guides not those who disbelieve.
Commentary of verse 5:67
The Jews had mixed their own innovations with God's true religion, building vested interests around this fabricated version. Rather than accept the pure faith brought by the Prophet, they harassed him, hoping to force him into accepting their distortions.
God could have stopped these transgressors immediately, but allowed them time to act. This exposed their true nature—despite claiming righteousness, they served only self-interest, not God. Though this tested the Prophet severely, it was necessary to determine who deserved paradise and who merited hell.
Human weakness craves desire-fulfilment. Being governed by divine commandments feels intolerable, so people twist religion to match their wants. Pure religion suits only those who rise above personal desires and make the moral choice to submit.
God's word is undoubtedly true, yet in this world of testing, every truth hides behind veils of doubt. Success means tearing through those veils to grasp reality; failure means remaining trapped in surface appearances.
Qul yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi lastum 'alaa shai'in hattaa tuqeemut Tawraata wal Injeela wa maaa unzila ilaikum mir Rabbikum; wa layazeedanna kaseeram minhum maa unzila ilaika mir Rabbika tugh yaananw wa kufran falaa taasa 'alal qawmil kaafireen
Say: "O People of the Book! you have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that comes to you from your Lord, that increases in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow you not over [these] people without Faith.
Commentary of verse 5:68
In early Islamic Arabia, Jewish and Christian communities controlled much of the economic power and worked tirelessly to undermine the emerging Muslim community. Centuries of established influence made them appear invincible to many observers. Some weaker Muslims, fearing future retaliation should Islam fail, adopted a position of divided loyalties to protect themselves. They failed to grasp a crucial truth: devotion to God only in trivial matters offers no real safety. When danger arrives and one sides with those opposed to truth, the outcome will be shared with those allies. Sincere commitment cannot be conditional or selective without consequences.
Innal lazeena aamanoo wallazeena haadoo was saabi'oona wan Nasaaraa man aamana billaahi wal yawmil Aakhiri wa 'amila saalihan falaa khawfun 'alaihim wa laa hum yahzanoon
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish [scriptures], and the Sabians and the Christians, any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Commentary of verses 5:68 to 5:69
The Jewish community had become complacent, relying on tales of ancestral greatness rather than submitting genuinely to God's will. They assumed salvation was guaranteed by heritage alone, yet God values obedience and righteous living, not wishful thinking. When confronted with the message that deeds and intentions matter more than lineage, they reacted with hostility, seeing their comfortable assumptions challenged.
Over time, communities that succeeded the prophets became proud groups celebrating past glories instead of following prophetic example. Each claimed superiority and assured salvation. Yet God judges individuals by their own actions, not group membership. True faith means believing in God's Book wholeheartedly, fearing the Hereafter, and living righteously. Those blessed with scripture hold merit only whilst upholding this standard; deviation renders them less worthy than outright disbelievers.
Laqad akhaznaa meesaaqa Banee Israaa'eela wa arsalnaaa ilaihim Rusulan kullamaa jaaa'ahum Rasoolum bimaa laa tahwaaa anfusuhum fareeqan kazzaboo wa fareeqany yaqtuloon
We took the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them messengers, every time, there came to them a messenger with what they themselves desired not - some [of these] they called impostors, and some they [go so far as to] slay.
Commentary of verses 5:70 to 5:71
God secured a covenant of faith and obedience from the Jews through Moses, yet they honoured it only briefly before their conduct worsened. Despite God sending reformers to remind them, their arrogance intensified until they silenced and killed those who admonished them. When their transgression peaked, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to conquer Jerusalem in 586 BC, enslaving the Jews and taking them to his lands.
This humiliation softened their hearts, and they sought God's forgiveness. Cyrus of Persia then defeated the Chaldeans in 539 BC and permitted the Jews to return home. They prospered anew but soon reverted to recklessness, ignoring prophetic warnings. They killed John the Baptist and believed they killed Jesus, prompting God's wrath. In 70 AD, Roman Emperor Titus destroyed them, ending their independence permanently.
Wa hasibooo allaa takoona fitnaun fa'amoo wa sammoo summa taabal laahu 'alaihim summa 'amoo wa sammoo kaseerum minhum; wallaahu baseerum bimaa ya'maloon
They thought there would be no trial [or punishment]; so they became blind and deaf; yet Allah [in mercy] turned to them; yet again many of them became blind and deaf. But Allah sees well all that they do.
Commentary of verse 5:71
The most defining moment in a person's life arrives when sacrifice is required to remain faithful to Islam. Such trials exist so individuals can clearly demonstrate their commitment or rejection. God seeks proof of faithfulness not only in ease but when emotions must be suppressed or life and property endangered. Success in these tests validates previous deeds; failure nullifies them entirely. Every worldly test examines intention. To prove sincerity, one must ignore dangers and take the first step towards God, after which divine assistance follows. Those unwilling to demonstrate intention through action are transgressors who cannot expect unilateral divine help.
Laqad kafaral lazeena qaalooo innal laaha Huwal maseehub nu Maryama wa qaalal Maseehu yaa Baneee Israaa'eela budul laaha Rabbee wa Rabbakum innnahoo many-yushrik ballaahi faqad harramal laahu 'alaihil jannata wa maa waahun Naaru wa maa lizzaalimeena min ansaar
They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrongdoers be no one to help.
Commentary of verse 5:72
Humanity has one God alone, deserving of our complete devotion. Our very existence and every blessing we enjoy flow from His boundless grace and mercy. In return, we should become His devoted servants, living for Him, dying for Him, and placing all hope in His eternal favour.
We owe everything to our Creator. When we truly grasp this, He becomes everything to us—as a mother is everything to her child.
laqad kafaral lazeena qaalooo innal laaha saalisu salaasah; wa maa min ilaahin illaaa Ilaahunw Waahid; wa illam yantahoo 'ammaa yaqooloona layamas sannal lazeena kafaroo minhum 'azaabun aleem
They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word [of blasphemy], indeed a painful punishment will befall the blasphemers among them.
Commentary of verses 5:73 to 5:76
Only a Being independent of all needs and possessing power to benefit or harm deserves worship. Food symbolises dependence most vividly—whoever requires sustenance depends on everything else. How can such a dependent being be God? Likewise, conferring benefit or inflicting harm requires coordination of universal forces beyond any human's capacity. Therefore, no human can rightfully claim worship.
When people venerate others, they mistakenly believe those individuals hold special status before God and can intercede on their behalf. Such hopes are illusory. In this world of trial, the helplessness of all except God remains somewhat obscured, allowing misapprehension. But in the Hereafter, when truth becomes manifest, people will see that every support besides God was utterly worthless.
Afalaa yatooboona ilal laahi wa yastaghfiroonah; wallaahu Ghafoorur Raheem
Why turn they not to Allah, and seek His forgiveness? For Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Commentary of verses 5:73 to 5:76
Only a Being independent of all needs and possessing power to benefit or harm deserves worship. Food symbolises dependence most vividly—whoever requires sustenance depends on everything else. How can such a dependent being be God? Likewise, conferring benefit or inflicting harm requires coordination of universal forces beyond any human's capacity. Therefore, no human can rightfully claim worship.
When people venerate others, they mistakenly believe those individuals hold special status before God and can intercede on their behalf. Such hopes are illusory. In this world of trial, the helplessness of all except God remains somewhat obscured, allowing misapprehension. But in the Hereafter, when truth becomes manifest, people will see that every support besides God was utterly worthless.
Mal Maseehub nu Maryama illaa Rasoolun qad khalat min qablihir Rusulu wa ummuhoo siddeeqatun kaanaa yaa kulaanit ta'aam; unzur kaifa nubaiyinu lahumul Aayaati suman zur annaa yu'fakoon
Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their [daily] food. See how Allah does make His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!
Commentary of verses 5:73 to 5:76
Only a Being independent of all needs and possessing power to benefit or harm deserves worship. Food symbolises dependence most vividly—whoever requires sustenance depends on everything else. How can such a dependent being be God? Likewise, conferring benefit or inflicting harm requires coordination of universal forces beyond any human's capacity. Therefore, no human can rightfully claim worship.
When people venerate others, they mistakenly believe those individuals hold special status before God and can intercede on their behalf. Such hopes are illusory. In this world of trial, the helplessness of all except God remains somewhat obscured, allowing misapprehension. But in the Hereafter, when truth becomes manifest, people will see that every support besides God was utterly worthless.
Qul ata'budoona min doonil laahi maa laa yamliku lakum darranw wa laa naf'aa; wallaahu Huwas Samee'ul 'Aleem
Say: "Will you worship, besides Allah, something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But Allah, He it is that hears and knows all things."
Commentary of verses 5:73 to 5:76
Only a Being independent of all needs and possessing power to benefit or harm deserves worship. Food symbolises dependence most vividly—whoever requires sustenance depends on everything else. How can such a dependent being be God? Likewise, conferring benefit or inflicting harm requires coordination of universal forces beyond any human's capacity. Therefore, no human can rightfully claim worship.
When people venerate others, they mistakenly believe those individuals hold special status before God and can intercede on their behalf. Such hopes are illusory. In this world of trial, the helplessness of all except God remains somewhat obscured, allowing misapprehension. But in the Hereafter, when truth becomes manifest, people will see that every support besides God was utterly worthless.
Qul yaaa Ahlal Kitaabi laa taghloo fee deenikum ghairal haqqi wa laa tattabi'ooo ahwaaa'a qawmin qad dalloo min qablu wa adalloo kaseeranw wa dalloo 'an Sawaaa'is Sabeel
Say: "O people of the Book! exceed not in your religion the bounds [of what is proper], trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who misled many, and strayed [themselves] from the even way.
Commentary of verse 5:77
Prayer purifies a person from all evils, and ablution prepares the body for this sacred act. Seeking water to wash initiates a deeper spiritual cleansing. Water, God's gift for removing physical impurities, symbolises prayer as a divine spring washing away corrupt emotions and thoughts. When washing hands, one silently prays for protection from wrongdoing. Rinsing the mouth and washing the face becomes a plea for cleansing from improper consumption, harmful speech, and sinful sights. Wiping the head expresses hope that God removes evil ideas and purifies the mind. Washing feet represents entreaty that one's steps remain on paths of righteousness alone.
Ablution thus becomes a physical prayer for turning away from wrongs. Sexual impurity requires full bathing, representing an extraordinary state needing complete renewal. Yet God permits dry ablution when water is unavailable, showing His mercy and preventing the excessive rigour found in other faiths.
Lu'inal lazeena kafaroo mim Baneee israaa'eela 'alaa lisaani Daawooda wa 'Eesab ni Maryam; zaalika bimaa 'asaw wa kaanoo ya tadoon
Curses were pronounced on those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.
Commentary of verse 5:78
When the call to pure religion sounds, those claiming monopoly on devotion through self-made religion develop such extreme aversion they lose all rationality, even ridiculing sacred matters. Some in Madinah mocked the call to prayer itself. Muslims can relate to such insensate people only through missionary efforts, never friendship. Their lack of God-consciousness leads them to view sincere Muslims as criminals whilst considering their own conduct blameless before God.
Such insensitivity destroys their ability to distinguish truth from falsehood and blocks self-correction. Outwardly human, inwardly they become worse than animals. The delicate feelings—modesty, compassion, desire for purity—that serve as God's internal watchguards become smothered. The final stage arrives when satanic ways corrode their entire lives, distancing them utterly from divine grace. Their nature becomes distorted, making them a curse to themselves and humanity, living by base desires like animals in human form.
Kaanoo laa yatanaahawna 'am munkarin fa'aluhoo; labi'sa maa kaanoo yafa'loon
Nor did they [usually] forbid one another the iniquities which they committed: evil indeed were the deeds which they did.
Commentary of verse 5:79
Some Jews in Madinah outwardly expressed sympathy towards Islam, calculating that its growing strength made open opposition unwise. Though privately loyal to their ancestral faith, they spoke as if they believed. They failed to grasp that their true dealings were with Allah, who sees what lies in the heart, not merely what is said for self-preservation.
The Jewish leadership consisted of rabbis and scholars (ahbar), both deeply engaged in religious work. Their authority and income depended on religion. Yet their true influence stemmed not from teaching God's true religion, but from presenting a version that suited public taste. Their words and actions appeared religious but served worldly interests. Worse still, they endorsed in the name of religion what people desired, knowing these had no real religious basis.
Taraa kaseeram minhum yatawallawnal lazeena kafaroo; labi'sa maa qaddamat lahum anfusuhum an sakhital laahu 'alaihim wa fil 'azaabi hum khaalidoon
You se many of them turning in friendship to the Disbelievers. Evil indeed are [the works] which their souls have sent forward before them [with the result], that Allah's wrath is on them, and in torment will they abide.
Commentary of verses 5:80 to 5:82
Despite the Children of Israel's moral decline, their leaders continued making eloquent speeches and self-righteous pronouncements. Yet when tyranny and evil occurred before their eyes, they made no serious effort to intervene or prevent it. David observed that not one among them was righteous, noting how they spoke peace whilst harbouring ill intent. Jesus condemned the Jewish scholars of his time as hypocrites who exploited widows whilst making lengthy prayers, who meticulously tithed trivial herbs whilst neglecting justice, mercy and faith—straining at gnats whilst swallowing camels.
They outwardly described God's law and performed rituals, but it was mere lip service. They observed harmless commands with exaggerated piety, yet when required to act justly, show mercy, or sacrifice self-interest for God's command, they retreated. Anyone who criticised them became their enemy. Such behaviour earned them divine wrath and curses.
Wa law kaanoo yu'minoona billaahi wan nabiyyi wa maaa unzila ilaihi attakhazoohum awliyaaa'a wa laakinna kaseeram minhum faasiqoon
If only they had believed in Allah, in the Prophet, and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them for friends and protectors, but most of them are rebellious wrongdoers.
Commentary of verses 5:80 to 5:82
Despite the Children of Israel's moral decline, their leaders continued making eloquent speeches and self-righteous pronouncements. Yet when tyranny and evil occurred before their eyes, they made no serious effort to intervene or prevent it. David observed that not one among them was righteous, noting how they spoke peace whilst harbouring ill intent. Jesus condemned the Jewish scholars of his time as hypocrites who exploited widows whilst making lengthy prayers, who meticulously tithed trivial herbs whilst neglecting justice, mercy and faith—straining at gnats whilst swallowing camels.
They outwardly described God's law and performed rituals, but it was mere lip service. They observed harmless commands with exaggerated piety, yet when required to act justly, show mercy, or sacrifice self-interest for God's command, they retreated. Anyone who criticised them became their enemy. Such behaviour earned them divine wrath and curses.
Latajidanna ashad dan naasi 'adaawatal lillazeena aamanul Yahooda wallazeena ashrakoo wa latajidanna aqrabahum mawaddatal lil lazeena aamanul lazeena qaalooo innaa Nasaaraa; zaalika bi anna mminhum qiseeseena wa ruhbaananw wa annahum laa yastakbiroon
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers will you find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers will you find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
Commentary of verse 5:82
When the Quran urged spending charitably and lending graciously to Allah, the Jews mocked it. They sarcastically claimed that Allah must be poor whilst His subjects were rich, and that His hands were empty. They knew full well Allah suffers no shortage, so these statements actually targeted the Prophet and the Quran, implying he was not a true prophet and it not God's Book.
Such responses revealed they lacked the spirit of genuine religion and lived in spiritual insensitivity. By refusing Quranic guidance, they claimed to already possess salvation and need no further direction. This bred extreme egotism, making them unwilling to set aside their pride even in daily dealings. Society then fractured into mutual hostility. A prophet calls people to the same obedience to Allah that all creation already observes, establishing peaceful balance. Those who obstruct this call seek to disturb God's world order, though they possess authority only over their own souls, not others' destinies.
And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.
Commentary of verses 5:83 to 5:86
Paradise is promised here for certain 'words' people uttered. But these words represented their entire being—the sound of their personality's outpouring. When they heard God's message, they recognised complete truth within it. It penetrated their hearts, triggering a revolution that redirected all their desires and aspirations. Barriers of prejudice and self-interest crumbled. They identified so completely with Truth that they lost separate identity, becoming its witnesses. Truth embedded itself within them.
The Quran became for them not merely a book but a living sign of the Lord of the Universe. This divine experience, though expressed in words, transcended mere speech—it was an earthquake affecting their entire existence, bringing tears to their eyes. Words about reality do not simply make statements; they give meaningful shape to human actions and feelings. When a person expresses servitude to God through words, he establishes entitlement to paradise. The strongest barrier to accepting Truth is human pride. The proud react most violently against Truth's call, becoming its fiercest opponents. Those without pride, whatever their other flaws, cannot oppose Truth so severely.
Wa maa lanaa laa nu'minu billaahi wa maa jaaa'anaa minal haqqi wa natma'u ai yudkhilanaa Rabbunaa ma'al qawmis saaliheen
"What cause can we have not to believe in Allah and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?"
Commentary of verses 5:83 to 5:86
Paradise is promised here for certain 'words' people uttered. But these words represented their entire being—the sound of their personality's outpouring. When they heard God's message, they recognised complete truth within it. It penetrated their hearts, triggering a revolution that redirected all their desires and aspirations. Barriers of prejudice and self-interest crumbled. They identified so completely with Truth that they lost separate identity, becoming its witnesses. Truth embedded itself within them.
The Quran became for them not merely a book but a living sign of the Lord of the Universe. This divine experience, though expressed in words, transcended mere speech—it was an earthquake affecting their entire existence, bringing tears to their eyes. Words about reality do not simply make statements; they give meaningful shape to human actions and feelings. When a person expresses servitude to God through words, he establishes entitlement to paradise. The strongest barrier to accepting Truth is human pride. The proud react most violently against Truth's call, becoming its fiercest opponents. Those without pride, whatever their other flaws, cannot oppose Truth so severely.
Fa asaabahumul laahu bimaa qaaloo Jannnaatin tajree min tahtihal anhaaru khaalideena feehaa; wa zaalika jazaaa'ul muhsineen
And for this their prayer has Allah rewarded them with gardens, with rivers flowing underneath, their eternal home. Such is the recompense of those who do good.
Commentary of verse 5:85
When Prophet Muhammad emerged in Arabia, the society was deeply religious. Many held prominent positions through religion, which conferred high status and pride. Yet the Prophet faced severe opposition. The reason was that a self-invented religion had replaced God's true religion. Centuries of tradition had created entrenched power structures and vested interests. When the Prophet called people to pure religion, they felt threatened. They feared that accepting it would destroy the old religious order that sustained their prominence.
This creates immense difficulty for one preaching God's word. Pursuing his mission openly means struggling against established religious authorities. He faces ridicule, degradation, impoverishment, violence, and isolation. Two paths appear: accommodate worldly considerations, making communication seemingly impossible; or ignore such constraints, trusting God's promised help. If he focuses entirely on preaching, God's assistance will suffice against any difficulties. Opposition is natural within limits set by divine law testing mankind, but opponents can never prevent the work's completion. Achieving this goal is God's plan, so it will inevitably be fulfilled. Thereafter, acceptance becomes the addressees' own responsibility.
Wallazeena kafaroo wa kazzaboo bi Aayaatinaaa ulaaa'ika Ashaabul Jaheem
But those who disbelieve and belie our Signs, they shall be companions of Hell-fire.
Commentary of verses 5:83 to 5:86
Paradise is promised here for certain 'words' people uttered. But these words represented their entire being—the sound of their personality's outpouring. When they heard God's message, they recognised complete truth within it. It penetrated their hearts, triggering a revolution that redirected all their desires and aspirations. Barriers of prejudice and self-interest crumbled. They identified so completely with Truth that they lost separate identity, becoming its witnesses. Truth embedded itself within them.
The Quran became for them not merely a book but a living sign of the Lord of the Universe. This divine experience, though expressed in words, transcended mere speech—it was an earthquake affecting their entire existence, bringing tears to their eyes. Words about reality do not simply make statements; they give meaningful shape to human actions and feelings. When a person expresses servitude to God through words, he establishes entitlement to paradise. The strongest barrier to accepting Truth is human pride. The proud react most violently against Truth's call, becoming its fiercest opponents. Those without pride, whatever their other flaws, cannot oppose Truth so severely.
O you who have believed, make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, but commit no excess: for Allah loves not those given to excess.
Commentary of verses 5:87 to 5:88
The relationship between humanity and God is a living, internal, psychological connection. When religion declines and this inner bond weakens, people mistakenly seek to rebuild it through external means. One such approach is renouncing worldly pleasures—monasticism. They assume that avoiding material things brings one closer to God. Some of the Prophet's companions were attracted to such monastic thinking, intending to abandon meat, forsake sleep, practice celibacy, and live as hermits. Some even took vows to this effect. However, they were forbidden from this path and taught that nearness to God cannot be achieved by treating permissible things as forbidden. Whatever a person achieves is accomplished by remaining within natural limits, not by inventing stricter ones.
Eat of the things which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; but fear Allah, in Whom you believe.
Commentary of verses 5:87 to 5:88
The relationship between humanity and God is a living, internal, psychological connection. When religion declines and this inner bond weakens, people mistakenly seek to rebuild it through external means. One such approach is renouncing worldly pleasures—monasticism. They assume that avoiding material things brings one closer to God. Some of the Prophet's companions were attracted to such monastic thinking, intending to abandon meat, forsake sleep, practice celibacy, and live as hermits. Some even took vows to this effect. However, they were forbidden from this path and taught that nearness to God cannot be achieved by treating permissible things as forbidden. Whatever a person achieves is accomplished by remaining within natural limits, not by inventing stricter ones.
Laa yu'aakhizukumul laahu billaghwi feee aimaanikum wa laakiny ya'aakhizukum bimaa 'aqqattumul aimaana fakaf faaratuhooo it'aamu 'asharati masaakeena min awsati maa tut'imoona ahleekum aw kiswatuhum aw tahreeru raqabatin famallam yajid fa Siyaamu salaasati aiyaam; zaalika kaffaaratu aimaanikum izaa halaftum; wahfazooo aimaanakum; kazaalika yubaiyinul laahu lakum Aayaatihee la'allakum tashkuroon
Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days.
That is the expiation for the oaths you have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs, that you may be grateful.
Commentary of verse 5:89
Islam establishes the principle of just retribution—an eye for an eye, a life for a life. This deters serious crimes: the fear of losing one's own life prevents the taking of another's. In this way, retribution protects society rather than serving revenge.
It also calms the bereaved family's grief, preventing further violence. Yet Islam permits alternatives: the victim's family may accept compensation or forgive entirely. These options foster brotherhood and prevent cycles of enmity.
Blood-money also provides practical support to the bereaved, offering financial compensation for their devastating loss.
O you who have believed, Intoxicants and gambling, [dedication of] stones, and [divination by] arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handwork: eschew such [abomination], that you may be successful.
Commentary of verses 5:90 to 5:91
Consuming intoxicants, gambling, worshipping beings other than God, and drawing lots for divination are all base, satanic actions leading to mental and physical ruin. Intoxicants destroy refined human feelings. Divination practices rest on superficial thinking or superstition. Islam seeks to create people who remember and worship God, becoming completely obedient to Him and His Prophet. This requires seriousness, which these misdeeds utterly destroy.
Islam aims to produce individuals who recognise realities and rise above materialism, but intoxicants make people forget realities, divination plunges them into superstitious darkness, and gambling drives them into criminal materialism. Islam seeks to elevate people through facts and realities, but intoxicants promote loss of proper awareness whilst gambling promotes extreme selfishness—the two root causes of social disturbance. Those losing moral awareness lose respect for others' dignity and property, becoming brazenly tyrannical. Gamblers view others merely as subjects for exploitation. A society containing such people becomes poisoned by conflict and enmity, with members living in mutual mistrust and recrimination.
Innamaa yureedush Shaitaanu ai yooqi'a bainakumul 'adaawata wal baghdaaa'a fil khamri wal maisiri wa yasuddakum 'an zikril laahi wa 'anis Salaati fahal antum muntahoon
Satan's plan is [but] to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will you not then abstain?
Commentary of verse 5:91
Bearers of divine scriptures in later periods came to believe they were God's special people, exempt from accountability. Though God's teachings clearly rejected such notions, they became blind and deaf to them, surrounding themselves with self-invented beliefs and fictitious stories that obscured God's warnings.
Jewish history shows that whenever a scripture-bearing community suffered subjugation by enemies, this served as a testing period. Light punishment was meant to awaken moral consciousness. If devotion to God was then aroused, punishment ceased; if not, God rejected and abandoned them permanently. God granted Jesus power to perform extraordinary miracles so people would recognise him as a prophet and believe. Yet this failed. Christians, observing his miracles, concluded he was God incarnate, establishing polytheistic beliefs. Jews dismissed him as a mere magician. One group rejected him entirely; the other was inspired by him towards polytheism.
Wa atee'ul laaha wa atee'ur Rasoola wahzaroo; fa in tawal laitum fa'lamooo annamaa 'alaa Rasoolinal balaaghul mubeen
Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware [of evil]: if you do turn back, know you that it is Our Messenger's duty to proclaim [the message] in the clearest manner.
Commentary of verses 5:92 to 5:94
When undertaking Hajj or 'umrah, pilgrims must enter the state of ihram by wearing specific garments at designated points (miqat) before approaching the Ka'bah. Once in ihram, hunting any game becomes forbidden, whether done personally or through others. This verse was revealed during the journey to Hudaybiyyah, when Muslims in ihram encountered abundant wildlife that could have been easily caught. Though they were accustomed to hunting for their needs, they immediately ceased upon receiving this command. This prohibition applies specifically during the pilgrimage state, but the principle of obedience to divine instruction extends to all aspects of daily life for believers.
Laisa 'alal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati junaahun feemaa ta'imooo izaa mat taqaw wa aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati summat taqaw wa aamanoo summat taqaw wa ahsanoo; wallaahu yuhibbul muhsineen
On those who believe and do deeds of righteousness there is no blame for what they ate [in the past], when they guard themselves from evil, and believe, and do deeds of righteousness, [or] again, guard themselves from evil and believe, [or] again, guard themselves from evil and do good. For Allah loves those who do good.
Commentary of verses 5:92 to 5:94
When undertaking Hajj or 'umrah, pilgrims must enter the state of ihram by wearing specific garments at designated points (miqat) before approaching the Ka'bah. Once in ihram, hunting any game becomes forbidden, whether done personally or through others. This verse was revealed during the journey to Hudaybiyyah, when Muslims in ihram encountered abundant wildlife that could have been easily caught. Though they were accustomed to hunting for their needs, they immediately ceased upon receiving this command. This prohibition applies specifically during the pilgrimage state, but the principle of obedience to divine instruction extends to all aspects of daily life for believers.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo la yabluwannnakumul laahu bishai'im minas saidi tanaaluhooo aideekum wa rimaahukum liya'lamal laahu mai yakhaafuhoo bilghaib; famani' tadaa ba'da zaalika falahoo 'azaabun aleem
O you who have believed, Allah does but make a trial of you in a little matter of game well within reach of game well within reach of your hands and your lances, that He may test who fears him unseen: any who transgress thereafter, will have a painful punishment.
Commentary of verses 5:92 to 5:94
When undertaking Hajj or 'umrah, pilgrims must enter the state of ihram by wearing specific garments at designated points (miqat) before approaching the Ka'bah. Once in ihram, hunting any game becomes forbidden, whether done personally or through others. This verse was revealed during the journey to Hudaybiyyah, when Muslims in ihram encountered abundant wildlife that could have been easily caught. Though they were accustomed to hunting for their needs, they immediately ceased upon receiving this command. This prohibition applies specifically during the pilgrimage state, but the principle of obedience to divine instruction extends to all aspects of daily life for believers.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa taqtuslus saida wa antum hurum; wa man qatalahoo minkum mut'am midan fajazaaa'um mislu maa qatala minanna'ami yahkumu bihee zawaa 'adlim minkum hadyam baalighal Ka'bati aw kaffaaratun ta'aamu masaakeena aw 'adlu zaalika Siyaamal liyazooqa wabaala amrih; 'afal laahu 'ammaa salaf; wa man 'aada fayanta qimul laahu minh; wallaahu 'azeezun zuntiqaam
O you who have believed, Kill not game while in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. If any of you does so intentionally, the compensation is an offering, brought to the Ka'ba, of a domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or by way of atonement, the feeding of the indigent;
or its equivalent in fasts: that he may taste of the punishment of his deed. Allah forgives what is past: for repetition Allah will exact from him the punishment. For Allah is Exalted, and Lord of Retribution.
Commentary of verse 5:95
Fasting strengthens spiritual resolve by reducing dependence on material comforts. It opens pathways to faith and piety, offering a unique opportunity to focus on good and avoid evil. The believer's heart finds gladness and peace.
Though prescribed for one month, the spirit of fasting endures. It teaches withdrawal from the world whilst remaining part of it, showing how to fulfil spiritual duties amidst material distractions. Ramadan becomes a path to inner peace.
During this month, believers cultivate righteousness by avoiding gossip, lies, and slander, instead building good character. Each day brings them closer to devotion and piety, elevating the soul to spiritual bliss. The Prophet Muhammad exemplified this, spending Ramadan in prayer and praise. Just before breaking the fast, believers experience profound closeness to their Creator—a moment when supplications are answered.
Uhilla lakum saidul bahri wa ta'aamuhoo mataa'al lakum wa lissaiyaarati wa hurrima 'alaikum saidul barri maa dumtum hurumaa; wattaqul laahal lazeee ilaihi tuhsharoon
Lawful to you are the pursuit of water-game and its use for food, for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel; but forbidden is the pursuit of land-game;- as long as you are in the sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. And fear Allah, to Whom you shall be gathered back.
Commentary of verse 5:96
Early followers of Jesus viewed him simply as a man chosen by God—a human prophet. As Christianity spread beyond Syria, it encountered Egyptian and Greek philosophy. Converts influenced by these philosophical traditions sought to express their new faith in familiar intellectual terms. Greek thinkers had conceptualised reality across three levels: existence, life, and knowledge. Christian theologians, themselves drawn to these ideas and hoping to attract educated audiences, began reshaping their religion accordingly. They presented a 'Trinity' aligned with this framework: the Father representing existence, the Son representing life, and the Holy Spirit representing knowledge. To complete this philosophical interpretation, additional concepts were introduced—Jesus as the embodied Word, inherited sin from Adam requiring atonement through crucifixion, and so forth. By the fourth century AD, Christianity had been substantially remoulded according to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman thought, becoming the form recognised today.
Ja'alal laahul Ka'batal Baital Haraama qiyaamal linnaasi wash Shahral Haraama walhadya walqalaaa'id; zaalika lita'lamooo annal laaha ya'lamu maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ardi wa annal laaha bikulli shai'in 'Aleem
Allah made the Ka'ba, the Sacred House, an asylum of security for men, as also the Sacred Months, the animals for offerings, and the garlands that mark them: That you may know that Allah has knowledge of what is in the heavens and on earth and that Allah is well acquainted with all things.
Commentary of verse 5:97
Fasting is fundamentally an act of patience—enduring difficulties to obey God's command. This brings closeness to the Divine. Only those who surrender completely to God truly find Him; only words matching His 'wavelength' reach Him.
The command to fast is followed by the prohibition against consuming others' wealth unjustly. This reveals fasting's essence: total obedience. Fasting creates such deep submission that we abstain immediately when God commands.
The lesson is clear: if we can abstain from lawful things at God's command, abstaining from unlawful things becomes effortless. Fasting trains us in complete surrender to divine will.
I'lamooo annal laaha shadeedul 'iqaabi wa annal laaha Ghafoorur Raheem
Know you that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Commentary of verses 5:98 to 5:102
When the command for Hajj was announced, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) declared it obligatory. A man from the Banu Asad tribe asked whether this applied every year. The Prophet became upset and replied that had he confirmed annual obligation, it would indeed have become compulsory yearly—yet people would have found themselves unable to fulfil it and thus fallen into disbelief. He instructed: 'Leave what I leave aside. When I command something, do it; when I forbid something, avoid it.' This principle extends beyond the revelation period to the present day. Commands should be accepted as given, without attempting to expand, restrict, or unnecessarily complicate them through excessive questioning. Turning brief instructions into detailed regulations or adding limitations to absolute commands constitutes unwelcome innovation in religion.
Maa 'alar Rasooli illal balaagh; wallaahu ya'lamu maa tubdoona wa maa taktumoon
The Messenger's duty is but to proclaim [the message]. But Allah knows all that you reveal and you conceal.
Commentary of verses 5:98 to 5:102
When the command for Hajj was announced, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) declared it obligatory. A man from the Banu Asad tribe asked whether this applied every year. The Prophet became upset and replied that had he confirmed annual obligation, it would indeed have become compulsory yearly—yet people would have found themselves unable to fulfil it and thus fallen into disbelief. He instructed: 'Leave what I leave aside. When I command something, do it; when I forbid something, avoid it.' This principle extends beyond the revelation period to the present day. Commands should be accepted as given, without attempting to expand, restrict, or unnecessarily complicate them through excessive questioning. Turning brief instructions into detailed regulations or adding limitations to absolute commands constitutes unwelcome innovation in religion.
Qul laa yastawil khabeesu wattaiyibu wa law a'jabaka kasratul khabees; fattaqul laaha yaaa ulil albaabi la'allakum tuflihoon
Say: "Not equal are things that are bad and things that are good, even though the abundance of the bad may dazzle you; so fear Allah, O you that understand; that [so] you may be successful."
Commentary of verses 5:98 to 5:102
When the command for Hajj was announced, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) declared it obligatory. A man from the Banu Asad tribe asked whether this applied every year. The Prophet became upset and replied that had he confirmed annual obligation, it would indeed have become compulsory yearly—yet people would have found themselves unable to fulfil it and thus fallen into disbelief. He instructed: 'Leave what I leave aside. When I command something, do it; when I forbid something, avoid it.' This principle extends beyond the revelation period to the present day. Commands should be accepted as given, without attempting to expand, restrict, or unnecessarily complicate them through excessive questioning. Turning brief instructions into detailed regulations or adding limitations to absolute commands constitutes unwelcome innovation in religion.
yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa tas'aloo 'an ashyaaa'a in tubda lakum tasu'kum wa in tas'aloo 'anhaa heena yunazzalul Qur'aanu tubda lakum; 'afallaahu 'anhaa; wallaahu Ghafoorun Haleem
O you who have believed, Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about things when the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you, Allah will forgive those: for Allah is Forgiving, Most Forbearing.
Commentary of verses 5:98 to 5:102
When the command for Hajj was announced, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) declared it obligatory. A man from the Banu Asad tribe asked whether this applied every year. The Prophet became upset and replied that had he confirmed annual obligation, it would indeed have become compulsory yearly—yet people would have found themselves unable to fulfil it and thus fallen into disbelief. He instructed: 'Leave what I leave aside. When I command something, do it; when I forbid something, avoid it.' This principle extends beyond the revelation period to the present day. Commands should be accepted as given, without attempting to expand, restrict, or unnecessarily complicate them through excessive questioning. Turning brief instructions into detailed regulations or adding limitations to absolute commands constitutes unwelcome innovation in religion.
Qad sa alahaa qawmum min qablikum summa asbahoo bihaa kaafireen
Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith.
Commentary of verses 5:98 to 5:102
When the command for Hajj was announced, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) declared it obligatory. A man from the Banu Asad tribe asked whether this applied every year. The Prophet became upset and replied that had he confirmed annual obligation, it would indeed have become compulsory yearly—yet people would have found themselves unable to fulfil it and thus fallen into disbelief. He instructed: 'Leave what I leave aside. When I command something, do it; when I forbid something, avoid it.' This principle extends beyond the revelation period to the present day. Commands should be accepted as given, without attempting to expand, restrict, or unnecessarily complicate them through excessive questioning. Turning brief instructions into detailed regulations or adding limitations to absolute commands constitutes unwelcome innovation in religion.
Maa ja'alal laahu mim baheeratinw wa laa saaa'ibatinw wa laa waseelatinw wa laa haaminw wa laakinnal lazeena kafaroo yaftaroona 'alallaahil kazib; wa aksaruhum laa ya'qiloon
It was not Allah who instituted [superstitions like those of] a slit-ear she-camel, or a she-camel let loose for free pasture, or idol sacrifices for twin-births in animals, or stallion-camels freed from work: It is blasphemers who invent a lie against Allah; but most of them lack wisdom.
Commentary of verse 5:103
The fighting mentioned here occurred during the Prophet Muhammad's lifetime. His Makkan opponents, unsatisfied with expelling him and his companions from their home, pursued them to Madinah. Without provocation, they repeatedly attacked, forcing Muslims to defend themselves.
When aggression has been committed, believers may defend themselves. But initiating hostilities is forbidden in Islam. Only defensive war is permitted, and even this must be openly declared by an established state.
Wa izaa qeela lahum ta'aalaw ilaa maaa anzalallaahu wa ilar Rasooli qaaloo hasbunaa maa wajadnaa 'alaihi aabaaa'anaa; awa law kaana aabaaa'uhum laa ya'lamoona shai'anw wa laa yahtadoon
When it is said to them: "Come to what Allah has revealed; come to the Messenger": They say: "Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following." what! even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?
Commentary of verses 5:104 to 5:105
The prohibition against raising unnecessary questions remains valid today. Divine commands should be accepted in their original form, without attempts to expand or restrict them through needless inquiry. Over time, a community's predecessors often gain revered status, leading subsequent generations to blindly follow practices established in their name—even venerating animals if that custom had been set. Such misguided traditions, rooted in a sense of inherited holiness, become deeply entrenched and extremely difficult to dislodge. The only way to rise above these psychological traps is through firm conviction that one will ultimately stand before God. A person holding such belief accepts now what will be unavoidable after death—though acceptance at that later stage will bring no benefit whatsoever.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo 'alaikum anfusakum laa yadurrukum man dalla izah tadaitum; ilal laahi marji'ukum jamee'an fayunabbi'ukum bimaa kuntum ta'maloon
O you who have believed, Guard your own souls: If you follow [right] guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray. the goal of you all is to Allah: it is He that will show you the truth of all that you do.
Commentary of verses 5:104 to 5:105
The prohibition against raising unnecessary questions remains valid today. Divine commands should be accepted in their original form, without attempts to expand or restrict them through needless inquiry. Over time, a community's predecessors often gain revered status, leading subsequent generations to blindly follow practices established in their name—even venerating animals if that custom had been set. Such misguided traditions, rooted in a sense of inherited holiness, become deeply entrenched and extremely difficult to dislodge. The only way to rise above these psychological traps is through firm conviction that one will ultimately stand before God. A person holding such belief accepts now what will be unavoidable after death—though acceptance at that later stage will bring no benefit whatsoever.
Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo shahaadatu bainikum izaa hadara ahadakumul mawtu heenal wasiyyatis naani zawaa 'adlim minkum aw aakharaani min ghairikum in antum darabtum fil ardi fa asaabatkum museebatul mawt; tahbi soonahumaa mim ba'dis Salaati fa yuqsimaani billaahi inirtabtum laa nashtaree bihee samananw wa law kaana zaa qurbaa wa laa naktumu shahaadatal laahi innaaa izal laminal aasimeen
O you who have believed, When death approaches any of you, [take] witnesses among yourselves when making bequests, two just men of your own [brotherhood] or others from outside if you are journeying through the earth, and the chance of death befalls you [thus].
If you doubt [their truth], detain them both after prayer, and let them both swear by Allah: "We wish not in this for any worldly gain, even though the [beneficiary] be our near relation: we shall hide not the evidence before Allah: if we do, then behold! the sin be upon us!"
Commentary of verse 5:106
Fighting is forbidden during the sacred months (Muharram, Rajab, Dhu'l-Qada, Dhu'l-Hijjah) and within Makkah's sacred precincts. Yet if opponents commit aggression during these times, believers may fight back in self-defence.
Even in war, believers must avoid all atrocities and never transgress God's boundaries—if they truly fear Him—no matter how great the provocation.
Fa in 'usira 'alaaa annahumas tahaqqaaa isman fa aakharaani yaqoomaani maqaamahumaa minal lazeenas tahaqqa 'alaihimul awlayaani fa yuqsimaani billaahi lashahaadatunaaa ahaqqu min shahaadatihimaaa wa ma'tadainaaa innaaa izal laminaz zaalimeen
But if it gets known that these two were guilty of the sin [of perjury], let two others stand forth in their places, nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right: let them swear by Allah: "We affirm that our witness is truer than that of those two, and that we have not trespassed [beyond the truth]: if we did, behold! the wrong be upon us!"
Commentary of verses 5:107 to 5:108
Islamic law uses everyday matters to teach broader spiritual lessons. The distribution of inheritance, though a family and economic affair, provides training in two crucial areas. First, people must set aside personal connections and relationships, focusing solely on what is right and true—considering the truth itself rather than who benefits from it. Second, every procedure should be approached as giving testimony before God. Whatever a person holds is a divine trust: they witnessed it through God-given sight, remembered it with God-given memory, and now must declare it using a God-given tongue. Under these circumstances, failing to state facts exactly as witnessed or remembered constitutes a betrayal of that sacred trust.
Zaalika adnaaa ai yaatoo bishshahaadati 'alaa wajhihaaa aw yakhaafooo an turadda aimaanum ba'da aimaanihim; wattaqul laaha wasma'oo; wallaahu laa yahdil qawmal faasiqeen
That is most suitable: that they may give the evidence in its true nature and shape, or else they would fear that other oaths would be taken after their oaths. But fear Allah, and listen [to His counsel]: for Allah guides not a rebellious people:
Commentary of verses 5:107 to 5:108
Islamic law uses everyday matters to teach broader spiritual lessons. The distribution of inheritance, though a family and economic affair, provides training in two crucial areas. First, people must set aside personal connections and relationships, focusing solely on what is right and true—considering the truth itself rather than who benefits from it. Second, every procedure should be approached as giving testimony before God. Whatever a person holds is a divine trust: they witnessed it through God-given sight, remembered it with God-given memory, and now must declare it using a God-given tongue. Under these circumstances, failing to state facts exactly as witnessed or remembered constitutes a betrayal of that sacred trust.
One day will Allah gather the messengers together, and ask: "What was the response you received [from men to your teaching]?" They will say: "We have no knowledge: it is You Who know in full all that is hidden."
Commentary of verse 5:109
True devotion in Islam centres on fearing and being grateful to God. The fear of God prevents one from indulging in forbidden things. When desire arises for something prohibited, God-consciousness restrains the impulse. When anger tempts one towards violence, the fear of divine judgement stays the hand. Though the heart may crave unrestricted freedom, awareness of God's wrath compels one to remain within prescribed limits. Similarly with gratitude: when blessed with health, wealth, status, or popularity, the grateful person avoids arrogance and boasting. They recognise everything as God's gift, feeling overwhelmed by humility and thankfulness. These emotions—fear and gratitude—draw a person close to God. Whilst detachment from material things is virtuous, it must be a mental state, not merely physical withdrawal.
Iz qaalal laahu yaa 'Eesab-na-Maryamaz kur ni'matee 'alaika wa 'alaa waalidatik; iz aiyattuka bi Roohil Qudusi tukallimun naasa fil mahdi wa kahlanw wa iz 'allamtukal kitaaba wal Hikmata wa Tawraata wal Injeela wa iz Takhluqu minat teeni kahai 'atit tairi bi iznee fatanfukhu feeha fatakoonu tairam bi iznee wa tubri'ul akmaha wal abrasa bi iznee wa iz tukhrijul mawtaa bi iznee wa iz kafaftu Baneee Israaa'eela 'anka iz ji'tahum bil baiyinaati fa qaalal lazeena kafaroo minhum in haazaaa illaa sihrum mubeen
Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to you and to your mother. And [mention]! I strengthened you with the holy spirit, so that you did speak to the people in childhood and in maturity.
And [mention]! I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! you mak out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and you breathest into it and it becoms a bird by My leave, and you healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! you bring forth the dead by My leave.
And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from [violence to] you when you did show them the clear Signs, and the disbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.'
Commentary of verses 5:110 to 5:111
The essence of pilgrimage lies not in perfectly following every ritual step, but in maintaining a spirit of reverence and God-consciousness throughout. Small mistakes in procedure matter little if one's heart remains focused on the Almighty. What truly counts is cultivating an inner state of humility, gratitude, and complete submission to God.
During Hajj, pilgrims must guard against attitudes that contradict this spirit. Feelings of superiority over fellow worshippers have no place in a rite that teaches human equality before the One Creator. Similarly, boasting about one's ancestry or achievements defeats the purpose entirely—pilgrimage glorifies God alone, not the self.
The pilgrimage offers a profound lesson: all people stand equal before their Lord. If this fundamental truth is not absorbed during these sacred days, how can it be expected to shape one's conduct throughout the rest of life? The rites are merely the outward form; the inward transformation is what matters most.
Wa iz awhaitu ilal hawaariyyeena an aaminoo bee wa bi Rasoolee qaalooo aamannaa washhad bi annanaa muslimoon
"And behold! I inspired the disciples to have faith in Me and Mine Messenger: they said, 'We have faith, and do you bear witness that we bow to Allah as Muslims'".
Commentary of verses 5:110 to 5:111
The essence of pilgrimage lies not in perfectly following every ritual step, but in maintaining a spirit of reverence and God-consciousness throughout. Small mistakes in procedure matter little if one's heart remains focused on the Almighty. What truly counts is cultivating an inner state of humility, gratitude, and complete submission to God.
During Hajj, pilgrims must guard against attitudes that contradict this spirit. Feelings of superiority over fellow worshippers have no place in a rite that teaches human equality before the One Creator. Similarly, boasting about one's ancestry or achievements defeats the purpose entirely—pilgrimage glorifies God alone, not the self.
The pilgrimage offers a profound lesson: all people stand equal before their Lord. If this fundamental truth is not absorbed during these sacred days, how can it be expected to shape one's conduct throughout the rest of life? The rites are merely the outward form; the inward transformation is what matters most.
Iz qaalal hawaariyyoona yaa 'Eesab na Maryama hal yastatee'u Rabbuka ai yunaz zila 'alinaa maaa'idatam minas samaaa'i qaalat taqul laaha in kuntum mu'mineen
And [mention]! the disciples, said: "O Jesus the son of Mary! can your Lord send down to us a table set [with viands] from heaven?" Said Jesus: "Fear Allah, if you have faith."
Commentary of verse 5:112
The Quran guides those who sincerely seek truth with open hearts. This search is part of human nature itself—one need only uncover what lies within. Seeking and finding are simply different stages of the same journey towards understanding.
When people genuinely search for truth, their inner faculties awaken. Vague yearnings develop into faith in the unseen. The impulse to submit to something greater becomes conscious devotion to the Almighty. The desire to sacrifice for a higher purpose transforms into spending for God's cause. Questions about life's ultimate meaning find their answer in belief in the Hereafter.
Discovering truth means raising one's awareness to perceive ultimate reality. Those who succeed become free from inner conflicts and prejudices. They recognise truth wherever it appears and whoever speaks it, accepting it immediately without allowing conventions or biases to intervene. God protects such souls, guiding them surely through life towards Paradise in the world to come.
Qaaloo nureedu an naakula minhaa wa tatam'inna quloo bunaa wa na'lama an qad sadaqtana wa nakoona 'alaihaa minash shaahideen
They said: "We only wish to eat thereof and satisfy our hearts, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth; and that we ourselves may be witnesses to the miracle."
Commentary of verses 5:113 to 5:114
God continuously provides for humanity's needs—the entire earth serves as a table laden with provisions. Yet when the followers of Jesus demanded food sent directly from the sky, they received a stern warning. The difference lies in how provisions arrive: normally they come through natural means, veiled by cause and effect. The disciples' demand sought to remove that veil. This veil exists by divine design, for if removed, the very purpose of testing humanity would be defeated. The trial requires faith in the unseen and trust in God's provision through ordinary channels.
Qaala 'Eesab nu Maryamal laahumma Rabbanaaa anzil 'alainaa maaa'idatam minas samaaa'i takoonu lanaa 'eedal li awwalinaa wa aakirinaa wa Aayatam minka warzuqnaa wa Anta khairur raaziqeen
Said Jesus the son of Mary: "O Allah our Lord! Send us from heaven a table set [with viands], that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a solemn festival and a sign from you; and provide for our provision, for you are the best Sustainer [of our needs]."
Commentary of verses 5:113 to 5:114
God continuously provides for humanity's needs—the entire earth serves as a table laden with provisions. Yet when the followers of Jesus demanded food sent directly from the sky, they received a stern warning. The difference lies in how provisions arrive: normally they come through natural means, veiled by cause and effect. The disciples' demand sought to remove that veil. This veil exists by divine design, for if removed, the very purpose of testing humanity would be defeated. The trial requires faith in the unseen and trust in God's provision through ordinary channels.
Allah said: "I will send it down to you: But if any of you after that resists faith, I will punish him with a punishment such as I have not inflicted on any one among all the peoples."
Commentary of verse 5:115
Prayer reflects what truly fills the heart. Those consumed by worldly ambitions will focus their supplications on material gains and status. Those seeking the eternal life to come will make that their central concern when addressing God.
The believer's prayer does not ask for worldly riches. Material possessions are merely part of life's test, and no sensible person would request a harder examination. Rather, the wisest prayer asks God to grant whatever He knows is best for this world and whatever He knows is best for the Hereafter, whilst seeking protection from eternal punishment.
The ideal supplication is therefore simple and profound: 'O my Lord, grant me in this world what You see as good for this life, grant me in the next world what You see as good for that life, and save me from the Fire.'
Wa iz qaalal laahu yaa 'Eesab na Maryama 'a-anta qulta linnaasit takhizoonee wa ummiya ilaahaini min doonil laahi qaala Subhaanaka maa yakoonu leee anaqoola maa yakkoonu leee an aqoola maa laisa lee bihaqq; in kuntu qultuhoo faqad 'alimtah; ta'lamu maa fee nafsee wa laaa a'almu maa fee nafsik; innaka Anta 'Allaamul Ghuyoob
And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Did you say to men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to You! never could I say what I had no right [to say]. Had I said such a thing, you would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, You I know not what is in Yours.
For You know in full all that is hidden.
Commentary of verses 5:116 to 5:118
On the Day of Judgement, truth will be self-evident without need for explanation. Everyone will witness directly that all power belongs to the One God alone, who has no partner in creation or lordship. Only He deserves worship and obedience. When God questions His prophets about their message, the answer will already be obvious—the very atmosphere of that Day will proclaim it. This questioning serves not to seek information but to deepen the humiliation of those being judged. It will clarify, in the presence of the prophets themselves, that the distorted religions people invented in their names had no connection whatsoever to the teachings they actually delivered.
Maa qultu lahum illaa maaa amartanee bihee ani'budul laaha Rabbeee wa Rabbakum; wa kuntu 'alaihim shaheedam maa dumtu feehim falammaa tawaffaitanee kunta Antar Raqeeba 'alaihim; wa Anta 'alaa kulli shai'in Shaheed
"Never said I to them aught except what You did command me to say, to wit, 'worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord'; and I was a witness over them whilst I dwelt amongst them; when You did take me up You were the Watcher over them, and You are a witness to all things.
Commentary of verses 5:116 to 5:118
On the Day of Judgement, truth will be self-evident without need for explanation. Everyone will witness directly that all power belongs to the One God alone, who has no partner in creation or lordship. Only He deserves worship and obedience. When God questions His prophets about their message, the answer will already be obvious—the very atmosphere of that Day will proclaim it. This questioning serves not to seek information but to deepen the humiliation of those being judged. It will clarify, in the presence of the prophets themselves, that the distorted religions people invented in their names had no connection whatsoever to the teachings they actually delivered.
In tu'azzibhum fa innahum ibaaduka wa in taghfir lahum fa innaka Antal 'Azzezul Hakeem
"If You do punish them, they are Your servant: If You do forgive them, You are the Exalted in power, the Wise."
Commentary of verses 5:116 to 5:118
On the Day of Judgement, truth will be self-evident without need for explanation. Everyone will witness directly that all power belongs to the One God alone, who has no partner in creation or lordship. Only He deserves worship and obedience. When God questions His prophets about their message, the answer will already be obvious—the very atmosphere of that Day will proclaim it. This questioning serves not to seek information but to deepen the humiliation of those being judged. It will clarify, in the presence of the prophets themselves, that the distorted religions people invented in their names had no connection whatsoever to the teachings they actually delivered.
Allah will say: "This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, their eternal Home: Allah well-pleased with them, and they with Allah: That is the great salvation, [the fulfilment of all desires].
Commentary of verses 5:119 to 5:120
This world exists as a testing ground where everyone enjoys freedom. Here, people may prosper despite following false beliefs, claim Paradise on baseless hopes, and even loudly assert their religious authority without true connection to God. Such claims may seem convincing in this life, but they hold no weight on the Day of Judgement. What truly matters is proving oneself truthful in God's sight. The test for those who possess divine scripture is not merely claiming faith, but demonstrating it through sincere belief and righteous action. Only genuine devotion and honest conduct will stand firm when all pretence is stripped away.
Lillaahi mulkus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa feehinn; wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shain'in Qadeer
To Allah does belong the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is therein, and it is He Who is over all things competent.
Commentary of verses 5:119 to 5:120
This world exists as a testing ground where everyone enjoys freedom. Here, people may prosper despite following false beliefs, claim Paradise on baseless hopes, and even loudly assert their religious authority without true connection to God. Such claims may seem convincing in this life, but they hold no weight on the Day of Judgement. What truly matters is proving oneself truthful in God's sight. The test for those who possess divine scripture is not merely claiming faith, but demonstrating it through sincere belief and righteous action. Only genuine devotion and honest conduct will stand firm when all pretence is stripped away.