confusion while interrelating 5:3 and 6:145 (forbidden items for food)

Started by Adil Husain, July 18, 2012, 09:33:30 PM

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Adil Husain

5:3
Forbidden to you is that which is already dead, and the blood, and
the meat of pig, and what was dedicated to other than God, and
that which has been strangled, and that which has been beaten
to death, and that which has fallen from a height, and that which
has been gored, and that which the wild animals have eaten from
except what you managed to rescue
, and what has been slaughtered
on altars, and what you divide by the arrows of chance. This is
vile. Today the rejecters have given up from your system, so do
not be concerned by them, but be concerned by Me. Today I have
perfected your system for you, and completed My blessings upon
you, and I have approved submission as the system for you. So,
whoever is forced by severe hunger and not seeking sin, then God
is Forgiving, Merciful.

6;145
Say: "I do not find in what is inspired to me to be unlawful for
any eater to eat except
that it be already dead, or running blood, or
the meat of pig - for it is foul - or what is a wickedness, dedicated
to other than God." But whoever is forced to, without seeking
disobedience or transgression, then your Lord is Forgiving,
Merciful.
'I must strive for reformation of myself and the world'

Joseph Islam

Dear Adil,

Salamun Alaikum.

Please would you kindly elaborate what you find confusing of the two verses? 6:145 clearly is in sync with 5:3 which lays down prohibitions along with 5:1.

Please also see some related articles below which may be of some help, God willing.

DOES THE QURAN ALLOW THE EATING OF LIONS, DOGS, CATS, RATS ETC?
http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/does%20the%20quran%20allow%20the%20eating%20of%20all%20animals%20FM3.htm

FOOD PERMISSIBILITY AND PROHIBITIONS
http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/food%20restrictions%20FM3.htm

Regards,
Joseph.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell

Adil Husain

walaikum salaam
6;145
Say: "I do not find in what is inspired to me to be unlawful for
any eater to eat except . . . .

My confusion is that in 6:145 , it is so clearly said that i have not found anything  forbidden in the revelation except . . . .
But it does not mention about some additional things forbidden in 5:3 like one fallen from height , diving by arrows , strangeled , etc. Which is written in bold letters by me in this post. Why is it so ?
'I must strive for reformation of myself and the world'

Joseph Islam

Dear Adil,

Salamun Alaikum

Quranic themes need to be studied collectively in context and not as isolated verses. Many verses in one part of the Quran explain and elucidate other parts. This is no exception.

Verse 5:1-3 clearly lays down the prohibitions in detail of what is and is not lawful. 6:145 is only confirming in summary form what is in verses 5:1-3 and challenging the superstitions in the preceding verses (6:143-44) and clarifying the matter.  It is clear that the Quraish had superstitious beliefs of what could be eaten of the grazing animals (bahimatul-anaam) and what could not (6:143-44). 

006:143-44
"Eight in pairs-- two of sheep and two of goats. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful. And two of camels and two of cows. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah enjoined you this? Who, then, is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah that he should lead astray men without knowledge? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people"


Therefore, verse 6:145 clarifies and challenges these superstitions (hence the exception - 'Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me...except') and does away with any prohibitions relating to 'bahimatul-anaam' (grazing animals), and makes them all lawful whilst confirming basic prohibitions as laid out in verses 5:1-3.

There is absolutely no confusion here in my mind if all the verses are studied together and in context.  6:145 should be read carefully with its previous 2 verses to understand the dialogue better.

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell

Adil Husain

Dear Joseph sir , i understood your reply , Thank you . I got your point .

My doubt is almost clear

Main aim of 6:145 was to challenge pagan's superstitions(6:143,144)   that all grazing animals are lawful except ...... , it excluded their 'way of death ,  way of division and if eaten by wild animals  ' explained in 5:3

still i want to ask one question
Verse 6:154 uses a word fis'qan which means disobedience , sinful act , wickedness .

does this word captures the additional things mentioned in 5:3 (hit fatally , strangled , gored , scarified on stone altars , division by arrows , fatal fall from height , eaten by wild animals) , most of the terms non included in 6:145 is their ''way of death''.

Thank you for help.
'I must strive for reformation of myself and the world'

Joseph Islam

Salamun Alaikum Adil,

Yes, I would personally incline to concur that fisqun in this context could insinuate those prohibitions that are mentioned elsewhere (5:3) but not included in 6:145. That is a justified interpolation in my humble opinion given the context. It is relevant to note that 'fisq' can also imply a transgression in commandments (those prohibited in 5:3 and not mentioned in 6:145) so hence why I feel the interpolation is justified.

PS: I think you mean 6:145 and not 6:154 (typo).

Regards,
Joseph.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell

Adil Husain

Walaikum salaam sir ,
yes it was 6:145 . it was typing mistake done by me.
'I must strive for reformation of myself and the world'