5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُحِلُّواْ شَعَآئِرَ اللّهِ ...

5: 2. O ye who believe!

violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah,

C686. Cf. 2:158, where Safa and Marwa are called "Symbols (shaair) of Allah".

Here the Symbols are everything connected with the Pilgrimage, viz.,

1. the places (like Safa and Marwa, or the Ka'bah or 'Arafat, etc.);

2. the rites and ceremonies prescribed;

3. prohibitions (such as that of hunting, etc.);

4. the times and seasons prescribed. There is spiritual and moral dimension in all these.

See notes on 2:158, 2:194-200.

... وَلاَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ ...

nor of the Sacred Month,

C687. The month of pilgrimage, or else, collectively, the four sacred months (9:36), viz.,

- Rajab (7th).

- Dhu al Qadah (11th),

- Dhu al Hijjah (12th, the month of Pilgrimage), and

- Muharram (the first of the year).

In all these months War was prohibited. Excepting Rajab the other three months are consecutive.

... وَلاَ الْهَدْيَ وَلاَ الْقَلآئِدَ...

nor of the animals brought for sacrifice,

nor the garlands that mark out such animals,

... وَلا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا...

nor the people resorting to the Sacred House, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord.

C688. The immunity from attack or interference extended to the animals brought as offerings for sacrifice and the garlands or fillets or distinguishing marks which gave them immunity. They were treated as sacred symbols.

And of course every protection or immunity was enjoyed by the Pilgrims.

... وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُواْ...

But when ye are clear of the Sacred Precincts and of pilgrim garb, ye may hunt,

C689. This is the state opposite to that described in n. 684, i.e., when ye have left the Sacred Precincts, and have doffed the special pilgrim garb, showing your return to ordinary life.

... وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ...

and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part).

C690. See n. 205 to 2:191.

In the sixth year of the Hijrah the Pagans, by way of hatred and persecution of the Muslims, had prevented them from access to the Sacred Mosque. When the Muslims were re-established in Makkah, some of them wanted to retaliate.

Passing from the immediate event to the general principle, we must not retaliate or return evil for evil. The hatred of the wicked does not justify hostility on our part. We have to help each other in righteousness and piety, not in perpetuating feuds of hatred and enmity. We may have to fight and put down evil, but never in a spirit of malice or hatred, but always in a spirit of justice and righteousness.

... وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى...

Help ye one another in righteousness and piety,

... وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ ...

but help ye not one another in sin and rancor:

fear Allah:

... إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٢﴾

for Allah is strict in punishment.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ لِلّهِ شُهَدَاء بِالْقِسْطِ ...

5: 8. O ye who believe!

stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing,

C706. Cf. 4:135.

... وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ...

and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.

C707. To do justice and act righteously in a favourable or neutral atmosphere is meritorious enough, but the real test comes when you have to do justice to people who hate you or to whom you have an aversion. But no less is required of you by the higher moral law.

... اعْدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ ...

Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah,

... إِنَّ اللّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿٨﴾

for Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Other versions:

5: 2

Asad ……….Offend not against the symbols set up by God, nor against the sacred month [of pilgrimage], nor against the garlanded offerings [note 4], nor against those who flock to the Inviolable Temple, seeking favor with their Sustainer and His goodly acceptance; and [only] after your pilgrimage is over [note 5] are you free to hunt. And never let your hatred of people who would bar you from the Inviolable House of Worship lead you into the sin of aggression [note 6]: but rather help one another in furthering virtue and God-consciousness, and do not help one another furthering evil and enmity; and remain conscious of God: for, behold, God is severe in retribution!

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah nor of the Sacred Month nor of the animals brought for sacrifice nor the garlands that mark out such animals nor the people resorting to the Sacred House seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord. But when ye are clear of the Sacred Precincts and of pilgrim garb ye may hunt and let not the hatred of some people in (once) shutting you out of the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part). Help ye one another in righteousness and piety but help ye not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Profane not Allah's monuments nor the Sacred Month nor the offerings nor the garlands, nor those repairing to the Sacred House, seeking the grace and pleasure of Allah. But when ye have left the sacred territory, then go hunting (if ye will). And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the Inviolable Place of Worship seduce you to transgress;

but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty. Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ lu_ tuhilla_ sya'a_iralla_hi wa lasy syahral hara_ma wa lal hadya wa lal qala_'ida wa la_ a_mminal baital hara_ma yabtagu_na fadlam mir rabbihim wa ridwa_na_(n), wa iza_ halaltum fasta_du_, wa la_ yajrimannakum syana'a_nu qaumin an saddu_kum 'anil masjidil hara_mi an ta'tadu_, wa ta'a_wanu_ 'alal birri wat taqwa_, wa la_ ta'a_wanu_ 'alal ismi wal'udwa_n(i), wattaqulla_h(a), innalla_ha syadidul 'iqa_b(i).

Hatred Must Not Deviate from Doing Justice

5: 8

Asad O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of anyone [note 19] lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.

Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealing and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Pickthall O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ ku_nu_ qawwa_mina lilla_hi syuhada_'a bil qist(i), wa la_ yajrimannakum syna'a_nu qaumin 'ala_ alla_ta'dilu_, i'dilu_, huwa aqrabu lit taqwa_, wattaqulla_h(a), innalla_ha khabirum bima_ta'malu_n(a).

[[ Ali’s note - 705 There is a particular and a general meaning. The particular meaning refers to the solemn Pledge and Covenant taken by two groups of people at 'Aqaba, a valley near Mina, the first about fourteen months before the Hijra, and the second a little later. These were Pledges of fealty to the Messenger of Allah, comparable to the Covenant under Mount Sinai taken in the time of Moses (See 0. ii. 63 and n. 78). The general meaning has been explained in n. 682 to v. 1: man is under a spiritual obligation under an implied Covenant with Allah: Allah has given man reason, judgment, the higher faculties of the soul, and even the position of vicegerent on earth (ii. 30), and man is bound to serve Allah faithfully-and obey His Will. That obedience begins with cleanliness in bodily functions, food, etc. It goes on to cleanliness of mind and thought, and culminates in purity of motives in the inmost recesses of his heart and soul. (5.7)

706 Cf. iv. 135. (5.8)

707 To do justice and act righteously in a favorable or neutral atmosphere is meritorious enough, but the real test comes when you have to do justice to people who hate you or to whom you have an aversion. But no less is required of you by the higher moral law. (5.8) ]]