إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 115
Translations
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Innama harrama 'alaikumul-maytata wad-dama wa lahmal-khinziri wa ma uhilla lighayrillahi bihi, fa mani idhturrra ghayra baghin wa la 'adin fa inna Allaha ghafurun rahimun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the four categories of forbidden food: carrion (dead animals not slaughtered properly), blood, pork, and animals slaughtered in the name of anything other than Allah. However, it provides divine mercy by permitting consumption of these otherwise forbidden items in cases of necessity (dharura), provided the person is not transgressing boundaries or exceeding what is needed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this exception reflects Allah's wisdom and compassion, as necessity overrides prohibition, and the condition of not indulging excessively or rebelliously is crucial to the permissibility.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl, a Meccan surah that extensively discusses Allah's blessings and prohibitions. It appears in a section addressing dietary laws and the signs of Allah's creation. The broader context deals with lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram) provisions, emphasizing the wisdom behind Islamic dietary restrictions as part of submission to divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, and between them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know.' This hadith relates to the principle of distinguishing halal from haram. Additionally, the Prophet's guidance on eating during necessity is reflected in various traditions regarding permissibility during hardship.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while Islamic law has clear boundaries regarding what is permissible, Allah's mercy extends even in circumstances of desperation, reminding believers that Islamic jurisprudence is flexible and compassionate. It encourages us to respect divine commandments while trusting in God's understanding of human frailty and need.
Related Ayahs
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَـٰتِ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۙ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
And they attribute to Allāh daughters - exalted is He - and for them is what they desire [i.e., sons].
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ
And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief.
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ
And Allāh presents an example: a city [i.e., Makkah] which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allāh. So Allāh made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.
وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَآئِرٌ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
And upon Allāh is the direction of the [right] way, and among them [i.e., the various paths] are those deviating. And if He willed, He could have guided you all.