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General Discussions / Re: Critique - DOES THE QURAN ALLOW ... DOGS, CATS, RATS ETC? by Arman Aziz
« on: February 02, 2014, 05:30:58 AM »
Salaam.
Of course, (6:45) comes after a particular context.
But it does not mean that it is limited to that context. In fact, 6:145 only repeats what is explicitly told in the other well known verses of the same category.
They are, including 6:145: (2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115).
It is also well known that all these verses limit the prohibitions as regards food, as against the run-away restrictions imposed by the clergy, etc. (16:116).
There is no restriction as far as anybody abstains from eating certain categories on any reasonable basis other than the falsehood that it is a religious restriction.
In my humble opinion, the stress is on the deadly sin of inventing religion.
As for food restrictions, the limit of limitation is awesome in its simplicity.
Over and above this, is the permission to consume it, on certain conditions.
Yet, we will notice all over the world, our people very frequently remain engaged in vehement arguments regarding this and that being halaal or haraam.
That is why, in 6:151, everybody's attention is drawn towards whatever is actually, most awfully HARAAM.
That is where (borrowing a term from ancient Semetic tradition), the Ten Commandments - the Spiritual Legacy of All Mankind, is proclaimed. See (6:151-152-153).
Now, a word regarding a remark by Deliverance. Regarding whales gestating for 17 months, and giving birth to a single baby, etc.
Perhaps, such concerns come under the category of endangered species, etc. And such concerns must be reasonably addressed. Even a ban on whale hunting may be called for.
Now, a word about "eating everything" except the prohibited 4 items.
The whole exercise of divine prohibitions begins with the words:
O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good....(2:168)
The subject goes on until at least (2:176).
The verses need be studied with the utmost diligence.
Regarding these, Abdulla Yusuf Ali says:
We now come to the regulations about food. First (2:168-171) we have an appeal to all people. Muslims, Pagans, as well as the People of the Book; then (2:172-173) to the Muslims specially; then (2:174-176) to the sort of men who then (as some do now) either believe in too much formalism or believe in no restrictions at all. Islam follows the Golden Mean. All well regulated societies lay down reasonable limitations. These become incumbent on all loyal members of any given society, and show what is "lawful" in that society. But, if the limitations are reasonable, as they should be, the "lawful" will also coincide more and more with what is "good".
Good: Thayyib = Pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, pleasing to the taste.
The general principle then would be: what is lawful and what is good, should be followed, not what is evil, or shameful, or foisted on by false ascription to divine injunctions, or what rests merely on the usage of ancestors, even though the ancestors were ignorant or foolish. An example of a shameful custom would be that among the Pagan Arabs of taking congealed blood and eating it fried. (End of quote).
Like we do not have any restrictions regarding plant food, as above.
But, nobody, except may be a mad man, just walks into the jungle and eats whatever vegetation he comes across.
Mankind has developed agriculture since time immemorial
Man cultivates certain well known edible things only. But the range of such things goes own increasing with increase in knowledge.
There are poisonous plants too in nature.
All these things are left to man's quest, and his increasing experience. The same thing goes on even regards to edible animals in nature.
Man domesticates certain animals, then he invents animal farming. Then the range of the kinds of animals used in farming, and the farming methods go on increasing and developing.
For example, we have ostrich farms in India now, which, earlier we had never heard of.
But the basic, divine prohibitions always remain in place.
Wallahu A'lam.
Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.
Of course, (6:45) comes after a particular context.
But it does not mean that it is limited to that context. In fact, 6:145 only repeats what is explicitly told in the other well known verses of the same category.
They are, including 6:145: (2:173, 5:3, 6:145, 16:115).
It is also well known that all these verses limit the prohibitions as regards food, as against the run-away restrictions imposed by the clergy, etc. (16:116).
There is no restriction as far as anybody abstains from eating certain categories on any reasonable basis other than the falsehood that it is a religious restriction.
In my humble opinion, the stress is on the deadly sin of inventing religion.
As for food restrictions, the limit of limitation is awesome in its simplicity.
Over and above this, is the permission to consume it, on certain conditions.
Yet, we will notice all over the world, our people very frequently remain engaged in vehement arguments regarding this and that being halaal or haraam.
That is why, in 6:151, everybody's attention is drawn towards whatever is actually, most awfully HARAAM.
That is where (borrowing a term from ancient Semetic tradition), the Ten Commandments - the Spiritual Legacy of All Mankind, is proclaimed. See (6:151-152-153).
Now, a word regarding a remark by Deliverance. Regarding whales gestating for 17 months, and giving birth to a single baby, etc.
Perhaps, such concerns come under the category of endangered species, etc. And such concerns must be reasonably addressed. Even a ban on whale hunting may be called for.
Now, a word about "eating everything" except the prohibited 4 items.
The whole exercise of divine prohibitions begins with the words:
O ye people! Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good....(2:168)
The subject goes on until at least (2:176).
The verses need be studied with the utmost diligence.
Regarding these, Abdulla Yusuf Ali says:
We now come to the regulations about food. First (2:168-171) we have an appeal to all people. Muslims, Pagans, as well as the People of the Book; then (2:172-173) to the Muslims specially; then (2:174-176) to the sort of men who then (as some do now) either believe in too much formalism or believe in no restrictions at all. Islam follows the Golden Mean. All well regulated societies lay down reasonable limitations. These become incumbent on all loyal members of any given society, and show what is "lawful" in that society. But, if the limitations are reasonable, as they should be, the "lawful" will also coincide more and more with what is "good".
Good: Thayyib = Pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, pleasing to the taste.
The general principle then would be: what is lawful and what is good, should be followed, not what is evil, or shameful, or foisted on by false ascription to divine injunctions, or what rests merely on the usage of ancestors, even though the ancestors were ignorant or foolish. An example of a shameful custom would be that among the Pagan Arabs of taking congealed blood and eating it fried. (End of quote).
Like we do not have any restrictions regarding plant food, as above.
But, nobody, except may be a mad man, just walks into the jungle and eats whatever vegetation he comes across.
Mankind has developed agriculture since time immemorial
Man cultivates certain well known edible things only. But the range of such things goes own increasing with increase in knowledge.
There are poisonous plants too in nature.
All these things are left to man's quest, and his increasing experience. The same thing goes on even regards to edible animals in nature.
Man domesticates certain animals, then he invents animal farming. Then the range of the kinds of animals used in farming, and the farming methods go on increasing and developing.
For example, we have ostrich farms in India now, which, earlier we had never heard of.
But the basic, divine prohibitions always remain in place.
Wallahu A'lam.
Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.