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
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And Allāh presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path?
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ
And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers.
وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ
And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [i.e., hives], and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.
إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَىْءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدْنَـٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Indeed, Our word to a thing when We intend it is but that We say to it, "Be," and it is.