5. [al-Maidah, Medina 112 Contains last revelations]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ...

5: 4. They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food):

C697. The previous verse was negative; it defined what was not lawful for food, viz., things gross, or disgusting, or dedicated to superstition.

This verse is positive: it defines what is lawful, viz., all things that are good and pure.

... قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ...

say:

- Lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure:

... وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللّهُ ...

- and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah;

... فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ ...

eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it:

C698. In the matter of the killing for meat, the general rule is that the name of Allah, the true God should be pronounced as a rite in order to call our attention to the fact that we do not take life thoughtlessly but solemnly for food, with the permission of Allah, to whom we render the life back.

The question of hunting is then raised.

How can this solemn rite be performed when we send forth trained hawks, trained hounds, or trained cheetahs or other animals trained for the chase?

They must necessarily kill at some distance from their masters. Their game is legalized on these conditions:

1. that they are trained to kill, not merely for their own appetite, or out of mere wantonness, but for their master's food;

the training implies that something of the solemnity which Allah has taught us in this matter goes into their action; and

2. we are to pronounce the name of Allah over the quarry; this is interpreted to mean that the Takbir should be pronounced when the hawk or dog, etc., is released to the quarry. (R).

... وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ ﴿٤﴾

and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.

Other Versions:

5: 4

Asad They will ask thee as to what is lawful to them. Say: “Lawful to you are all the good things of life [note 12]. ”………….

Pickthall They ask thee (O Muhammad) what is made lawful for them. Say: ( all ) good things are made lawful for you. And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained, ye teach them that which Allah taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah's name upon it, and observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is swift to take account.

Transliteration Yas'alu_naka ma_za_ uhilla lahum, qul uhilla lakumuttayyiba_t(u), wa ma_ 'allamtum minal jawa_rihi mukallibina tu'allima_nahunna mimma_ 'allamakumulla_hu fa kulu_ mimma_ amsakna 'alaikum wazkurusmalla_hi 'alaih(i), wattaqulla_h(a), innalla_ha sari'ul hisa_b(i).