Surah Al-Ma’idah [5] | Overview, Themes, Lessons & More

Surah Name: Al-Ma’ida (سورة المائدة)
Translation: The Table Spread
Origin of name: The Surah is named after the word “Ma’ida” (meaning “table spread”) mentioned in verses 112 and 114. It refers to the miraculous feast sent down for the disciples of Jesus as a sign from Allah.

Surah Number: 5
Number of Ayahs (Verses): 120

Makki or Madani: Madani
Approximate Time of Revelation: Revealed towards the final period of the Prophet’s (PBUH) life in Madinah. Some parts were revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage or around the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, indicating revelation across different times.

Historical Context

Surah Al-Ma’idah was revealed toward the end of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) time in Madinah, around 10 A.H. Its revealed portions are believed to span different periods, with some commentaries suggesting parts of it were revealed during the Prophet’s Farewell Pilgrimage or the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. This Surah addresses key issues related to the finalization of Islamic law, belief, and governance. It reflects a period where Muslims were becoming a stable community, having faced significant events such as conflicts with Jewish tribes, treaties with rival factions, and increasing interaction with Christians.

Muslims were now strengthening their laws and their societal structure. As a result, Surah Al-Ma’idah contains major legislative principles about food, contracts, family, and criminal justice, highlighting Islamic moral and social codes. The Surah also addresses the deviations in the beliefs of Jews and Christians, while urging Muslims to adhere strictly to the teachings of Islam, which had now reached its completion.

This Surah also represents the culmination of Allah’s message, signifying the completion of Islam as the final religion, as affirmed in verse 5:3: “This day I have perfected for you your religion….”

Main Themes

• Fulfillment of Covenants and Legal Rulings:
  The surah emphasizes the importance of adhering to covenants and religious obligations. It includes various rulings on dietary laws, the legality of hunting during Ihram, and practices such as ablution. Additionally, it provides guidance on penalties for crimes like theft and murder, emphasizing fairness and justice in society.

• Finality and Perfection of Islam:
  One of the most significant verses (5:3) declares the completion of the religion of Islam, signifying that no further revelations or changes in religious law would follow after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This verse was revealed during the Prophet’s farewell pilgrimage, marking the culmination of God’s guidance.

• Relations with the People of the Book (Jews and Christians):
  The surah extensively addresses the behavior and history of the Jews and Christians, criticizing their deviations from their original teachings and calling them to return to monotheism and righteousness. It clarifies the errors in Christian theology, especially refuting the belief in Jesus as the son of God, the trinity and emphasizing the oneness of Allah.

• Prohibition of Harmful Practices:
  Practices like gambling, intoxicants, and superstitions are explicitly forbidden due to their detrimental effects on individuals and society. These prohibitions are set to guide believers toward a pure and upright lifestyle that fosters moral and spiritual health.

• Justice and Fairness:
  The surah highlights the importance of justice, particularly in legal proceedings and testimony. Believers must uphold justice even if it goes against their own interests or those of their loved ones. It also commands Muslims to be firm in righteousness, resisting any influence that might lead to injustice.

• Morality and Self-Discipline:
  Moral purity and restraint are emphasized, instructing believers to avoid situations of injustice or corruption, and to be gentle and compassionate toward others while remaining steadfast against those who mock or oppose their faith. The surah also encourages personal integrity, perseverance, and patience in the face of hardships.

• Historical Reflections and Lessons:
  The surah recounts narratives such as the story of Cain and Abel to underline the consequences of jealousy, injustice, and violence. It stresses the sanctity of life, stating that saving one life is as though saving all of humanity, while unjustly taking a life is akin to killing all of humanity.

• Prophethood and Correction of Christian Beliefs about Jesus:
  Towards the end, the surah highlights the miracles performed by Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) through the will of Allah and corrects misinterpretations of his role and nature. It cautions against deifying prophets and urges Christians to follow the true, monotheistic message of Jesus, as taught by Islam.

Key Messages/Lessons

• Respect and honor promises, particularly religious obligations, as they are a part of faith.
• Certain foods like blood, pork, and improperly slaughtered animals are forbidden for the well-being of believers.
• Maintain justice, even with those you dislike; don’t let hatred lead to mistreatment or oppression.
• Cooperation in righteousness is encouraged, but cooperation in sin and aggression is forbidden.
• Christians should correct their beliefs about Jesus and reject concepts like the Trinity.
• Serious penalties are prescribed for crimes like murder, theft, and spreading disorder.
• Value life: taking one life unjustly is like killing all of humanity, while saving one life is like saving all.
• Alcohol, gambling, and superstitions are harmful and strictly prohibited.
• Purity of intention and physical cleanliness are essential in worship and daily life.
• Unity as a Muslim community is important, with loyalty to Allah and not to those who oppose Islam.
• Remember that Jesus performed miracles by Allah’s will, and that his divinity is a misinterpretation.

Notable Ayahs from Surah Al-Ma’ida

• Verse 3:
  “…Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way….”
  This verse is significant as it declares the perfection and completion of the religion of Islam.

• Verse 5:
  “Today all good, pure foods have been made lawful for you. Similarly, the food of the People of the Book is permissible for you and yours is permissible for them. And ˹permissible for you in marriage˺ are chaste believing women as well as chaste women of those given the Scripture before you—as long as you pay them their dowries in wedlock, neither fornicating nor taking them as mistresses….”
  This verse outlines the permissibility of food exchange and marriage between Muslims and the People of the Book.

• Verse 8:
  “O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness….”
  This verse commands Muslims to maintain justice, even against those they may dislike.

• Verse 32:
  “…whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity….”
  This verse emphasizes the sanctity of life and the consequences of unjust murder.

• Verse 38:
  “As for male and female thieves, cut off their hands for what they have done—a deterrent from Allah. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
  The punishment for theft is prescribed in this verse to serve as a deterrent.

• Verse 45:
  “We ordained for them in the Torah, “A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth—and for wounds equal retaliation.” But whoever waives it charitably, it will be atonement for them….”
  This verse addresses legal retribution (qisas), emphasizing justice in punishment.

• Verse 54:
  “O believers! Whoever among you abandons their faith, Allah will replace them with others who love Him and are loved by Him. They will be humble with the believers but firm towards the disbelievers, struggling in the Way of Allah; fearing no blame from anyone….”
  This verse reassures that the faith of those who remain steadfast will ultimately prevail.

• Verse 87:
  “O believers! Do not forbid the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.”
  This verse warns against unnecessary self-deprivation of permissible blessings.

• Verse 90:
  “O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.”
  Clearly prohibiting intoxicants, gambling, and similar actions associated with wrongdoing.

• Verse 110:
  “And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My favour upon you and your mother: how I supported you with the holy spirit so you spoke to people in ˹your˺ infancy and adulthood. How I taught you writing, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. How you moulded a bird from clay—by My Will—and breathed into it and it became a ˹real˺ bird—by My Will. How you healed the blind and the lepers—by My Will. How you brought the dead to life—by My Will. How I prevented the Children of Israel from harming you when you came to them with clear proofs and the disbelievers among them said, “This is nothing but pure magic.””
  Allah recounts the miracles and blessings given to Jesus and his mother, emphasizing Allah’s support and Jesus’ human nature.

• Verse 116:
  “And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen.”
  Allah addresses the false claims of Jesus’ divinity, correcting Christian beliefs about the nature of Jesus.

• Verse 120:
  “To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over all things competent.”
  This concluding verse reaffirms Allah’s dominion over all creation and His absolute competence.