يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَهُۥ مِنكُم مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآءٌ مِّثْلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ ٱلنَّعَمِ يَحْكُمُ بِهِۦ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ هَدْيًۢا بَـٰلِغَ ٱلْكَعْبَةِ أَوْ كَفَّـٰرَةٌ طَعَامُ مَسَـٰكِينَ أَوْ عَدْلُ ذَٰلِكَ صِيَامًا لِّيَذُوقَ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِۦ ۗ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ ۚ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَيَنتَقِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ 95
Translations
O you who have believed, do not kill game while you are in the state of iḥrām. And whoever of you kills it intentionally - the penalty is an equivalent from sacrificial animals to what he killed, as judged by two just men among you as an offering [to Allāh] delivered to the Kaʿbah, or an expiation: the feeding of needy people or the equivalent of that in fasting, that he may taste the consequence of his matter [i.e., deed]. Allāh has pardoned what is past; but whoever returns [to violation], then Allāh will take retribution from him. And Allāh is Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu la taqtulu al-sayda wa antum hurum wa man qatalahu minkum muta'ammidan fa jaza'u mislu ma qatala min al-na'ami yahkumu bihi dhwa 'adlin minkum hadyan baligh al-ka'bah aw kaffarat ta'amu masakeeni aw 'adlu dhalik siyaman liyadhooqa wibala amrih aafa allahu 'amma salaf wa man 'ada fayantaqimu allahu minhu wa allahu 'azizun dhu intiqam
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah prohibits the killing of game (wild animals) while in the state of ihram (sacred consecration for Hajj or Umrah), establishing that whoever intentionally kills game must pay an equivalent penalty in livestock assessed by two just individuals from the community. The penalty is either offering that sacrifice to the Ka'bah, feeding the poor, or fasting an equivalent number of days, so the person tastes the consequence of their action. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize this as part of the sanctity laws of the sacred state and pilgrimage, with the warning that Allah forgives past transgressions but will punish repeated violations.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the detailed legislation regarding the sacred state (ihram) and pilgrimage rituals revealed during the Medinan period. It appears in the context of Surah Al-Ma'idah's broader discussion of halal and haram provisions and adherence to sacred boundaries. The ayah addresses the Ummah collectively regarding the inviolability of game animals during pilgrimage, reflecting the Islamic tradition's balance between practical hunting needs and spiritual sanctity.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (1815): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding killing game while in ihram, 'Whoever kills game while in ihram, the inhabitants of Paradise will ask him about it.' Also, in Sunan Abu Dawud, detailed narrations describe the Prophet's rulings on compensation for accidentally or intentionally killing game during hajj.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that intentional violations of sacred boundaries carry real consequences designed to instill accountability and mindfulness, while simultaneously affirming Allah's mercy for unintentional mistakes and past lapses. It reminds us that spiritual discipline during sacred moments is essential, and that justice in our communities requires fair judgment from trustworthy individuals.