3. Sura al-Imran
Medina 89 [200 verses]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
كُلُّ
الطَّعَامِ
كَانَ حِـلاًّ
لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
...
3: 93. All food was lawful to the children of Israel,
...إِلاَّ مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَائِيلُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ التَّوْرَاةُ ...
except what Israel made unlawful for itself, before the Law (of Moses) was revealed.
C420. The Arabs ate the flesh of the camel, which is lawful in Islam, but it was prohibited by the Jewish Law of Moses (Leviticus 11:4).
But that Law was very strict because of the "hardness of heart" of Israel, because of Israel's insolence and iniquity (6:146). Before it was promulgated Israel was free to choose its own food.
I take "Israel" here to stand for the people of Israel.
...قُلْ فَأْتُواْ بِالتَّوْرَاةِ فَاتْلُوهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿٩٣﴾
Say: "Bring ye the Law and study it, if ye be men of truth."
فَمَنِ
افْتَرَىَ عَلَى
اللّهِ الْكَذِبَ
مِن بَعْدِ
ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
﴿٩٤﴾
3: 94. If any, after this, invent a lie and attribute it to Allah, they are indeed unjust wrongdoers.
قُلْ
صَدَقَ اللّهُ
...
3: 95. Say:
"Allah speaketh the truth:
... فَاتَّبِعُواْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ...
follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith;
... وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿٩٥﴾
he was not of the pagans."
C421. The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation.
We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews.
Other Versions:
3: 93
Asad All food was lawful unto the children of Israel, save what Israel had made unlawful unto itself [by its sinning] before the Torah was bestowed from on high [note 73]. Say: “Come forward, then, with the Torah and recite it, if what you say is true!”
Pickthall All food was lawful unto the children of Israel, save that which Israel forbade himself, (in days) before the Torah was revealed. Say: Produce the Torah and read it (unto us) if ye are truthful.
Transliteration Kullut ta'a_ma ka_na hillal libani isra_'ila illa_ ma_ harrama isra_'ilu 'la_ nafsihi min qabli an tunazzalat taura_h(tu), qul fa'tu_ bit taura_ti fatlu_ha_ in kuntum sa_diqin(a).
3: 94
Asad And all who henceforth invent lies about God – it is they, they who are evildoers [note 74]!
Pickthall And whoever shall invent a falsehood after that concerning Allah, such will be wrong doers.
Transliteration Fa maniftara_ 'alalla_hil kaziba mim ba'di za_lika fa ula_'ika humuz za_limu_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 74 – This is a reference to the unwarranted Jewish belief that the Mosaic food restrictions were an eternal law decreed by God. As against this claim, the Quran stresses that no food restrictions had been imposed before the time of Moses and, secondly, that the restrictions arising from the Mosaic Law were imposed on the children of Israel alone. To claim that hey represent an eternal divine law is described here as “inventing lies about God”. ]
3: 95
Asad Say: “God has spoken the truth: follow, then, the creed of Abraham, who turned away from all that is false, …………
Pickthall Say: Allah speaketh truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, the upright. He was not of the idolaters.
Transliteration Qul sadaqalla_h(u), fattabi'u_ millata ibra_hima hanifa_(n), wa ma_ ka_na minal musyrikin(a).
[ Ali’s note - 421 The greater freedom of Islam in the matter of the ceremonial law, compared with the Mosaic Law, is not a reproach but a recommendation. We go back to an older source than Judaism,-the institutions of Abraham. By common consent his Faith was sound, and he was certainly not a Pagan, a term contemptuously applied to the Arabs by the Jews. (3.95) ]
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6. [al-Anam, Cattle Mecca 55]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
قُل
لاَّ أَجِدُ
فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ
إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا
عَلَى طَاعِمٍ
يَطْعَمُهُ
إِلاَّ...
6: 145. Say:
"I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless
...أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ ...
- it be dead meat,
- or blood poured forth,
- or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination,
C969. Blood poured forth: as distinguished from blood adhering to flesh, or the liver, or such other internal organs purifying the blood.
...أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ...
- or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's."
...فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلاَ عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٤٥﴾
But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَعَلَى
الَّذِينَ
هَادُواْ حَرَّمْنَا
كُلَّ ذِي ظُفُرٍ...
6: 146. For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof,
C970. Zufur may mean claw or hoof;
it is in the singular number; but as no animal has a single claw, and there is no point in a division of claws, we must look to a hoof for the correct interpretation.
In the Jewish Law (Leviticus, 11:3-6), "Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts" was lawful as food, but the camel, the coney (rabbit), and the hare were not lawful, because the do not "divide the hoof".
"Undivided hoof" therefore is the correct interpretation.
These three animals, unlawful to the Jews, are lawful in Islam.
Cf. 4:160.
...وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَا...
and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep,
C971. In Leviticus (7:23) it is laid down that "ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep or of goat."
As regard the exceptions, it is to be noticed that priests were enjoined (Leviticus, 7:6) to eat of the fat in the trespass of offering, which was considered holy, viz., "the rump" (back and bone) "and the fat that covereth the inwards" (entrails), (Leviticus, 7:3).
...إِلاَّ مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَا أَوِ الْحَوَايَا أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ...
except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone:
...ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ وِإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ ﴿١٤٦﴾
this in recompense for their wilful disobedience:
for We are True (in Our ordinances).
فَإِن
كَذَّبُوكَ
فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ
ذُو رَحْمَةٍ
وَاسِعَةٍ...
6: 147. If they accuse thee of falsehood, say:
"Your Lord is full of Mercy All-embracing;
...وَلاَ يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ ﴿١٤٧﴾
but from people in guilt never will His wrath be turned back.
6: 145
Asad Say [O Prophet]: “In all that has been revealed unto me, I do not find anything forbidden to eat, if one wants to eat thereof, unless it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or t he flesh of swine – for that, behold is loathsome – or a sinful offering over which any name other than God’s has been invoked…….
Pickthall Say: I find not in that which is revealed unto me aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swineflesh for that verily is foul or the abomination which was immolated to the name of other than Allah. But whoso is compelled (thereto), neither craving nor transgressing, (for him) lo ! your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
Transliteration Qul la_ ajidu fi ma_ u_hiya ilayya muharraman 'ala_ ta_'imiy yat'amuhu_ illa_ ay yaku_na maitatan au damam masfu_han au lahma khinzirin fa innahu_ rijsun au fisqan uhilla ligairilla_hi bih(i), famanidturra gaira ba_giw wa la_ 'a_din fa inna rabbaka gafu_rur rahim(un).
[[ fisq – a
6: 146
Asad And [only] unto those who followed the Jewish faith did We forbid all beasts that have claws [note 137]; and We forbade unto them…………….thus did We requite them for their evildoing – for, behold, We are true to Our word!” [note 139]
Pickthall Unto those who are Jews We forbade every animal with claws. And of the oxen and the sheep forbade We unto them the fat thereof save that upon the backs or the entrails, or that which is mixed with the bone. That We awarded them for their rebellion. And lot We verily are Truthful.
Transliteration Wa 'alal lazina ha_du_ harramna_ kulla zi zufur(in), wa minal baqari wal ganami harramna_ 'alaihim syuhu_mahuma_ illa_ ma_ hamalat zuhu_ruhuma_ awil hawa_ya_ au makhtalata bi'azm(in), za_lika jazaina_hum bi bagyihim, wa inna_ lasa_diqu_n(a).
6: 147
Asad And if they give thee the lie [note 140], say: “Limitless is your Sustainer in His grace; but His punishment shall not be averted from people who are lost in sin.”
Pickthall So if they give the lie to thee (Muhammad), say: Your Lord is a Lord of all embracing mercy, and His wrath will never be withdrawn from guilty folk.
Transliteration Fa in kazzabu_ka faqur rabbukum zu_ rahmatiw wa_si'ah(tin), wa la_ yuraddu ba'suhu_ 'anil qaumil mujrimin(a).
[[ Asad’s notes – 137 – The construction of the above sentence makes it clear that this prohibition was imposed specifically on the Jews, to the excusion of believers of later times (Razi). 139- See 3:93.
140 – …..The pronoun “they” refers to the Jews as well as to the pagan Arabs………..both of whom claim that God has imposed on man various complicated restriction in the mater of food. According to the Quran, the Jews are wrong in their claim inasmuch as they overlook the fact that the severe Mosaic food laws were a punishment for their past misdeeds ( see 3:93) and , therefore, intended for them alone; and the pagan Arabs are wrong because their taboos have no divine basis whatsoever and are due to mere superstituion.]]
[[ Ali’s notes - 969 Blood poured forth: as distinguished from blood adhering to flesh, or the liver, or such other internal organs purifying the blood. (6.145)
970 Zufur may mean claw or hoof; it is in the singular number; but as no animal has a single claw, and there is no point in a division of claws, we must look to a hoof for the correct interpretation. In the Jewish Law (Leviticus, xi. 3-6), "Whatsoever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chew the cud, among the beasts" was lawful as food, but the camel, the coney (rabbit), and the hare were not lawful, because they do not "divide the hoof". "Undivided hoof" therefore is the correct interpretation. These three animals, unlawful to the Jews, are lawful in Islam. Cf. iv. 160. (6.146)
971 In Leviticus (vii. 23) it is laid down that "ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep or of goat." As regards the exceptions, it is to be noticed that priests were enjoined (Leviticus, vii. 6) to eat of the fat in the trespass of offering, which was considered holy, viz., "the rump" (back and bone) "and the fat that covers the inwards" (entrails), (Leviticus, vii.3). (6.146)]]
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16. Sura al-Nahl, Mecca 70
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ
السَّبْتُ عَلَى
الَّذِينَ
اخْتَلَفُواْ
فِيهِ...
16: 124. The Sabbath was only made (strict) to those who disagreed (as to its observance);
C2159. If Abraham's Way was the right way, the Jews were ready with the taunt, "Why don't you then observe the Sabbath?"
The answer is twofold.
1. The Sabbath has nothing to do with Abraham. It was instituted with the Law of Moses because of Israel's hardness of heart (2:74); for they constantly disputed with their Prophet Moses (2:108), and there were constantly among them afterwards men who broke the Sabbath (2:65, and n. 79).
2. Which was the true Sabbath Day?
The Jews observe Saturday.
The Christians, who include the Old Testament in their inspired Scripture, observe Sunday, and a sect among them (the Seventh Day Adventists) disagree, and observe Saturday. So there is disagreement among the People of the Book. Let them dispute among themselves. Their dispute will not be settled till the Day of Judgment.
Meanwhile, Muslims are emancipated from such stringent restrictions. For them there is certainly the Day of United Prayer on Friday, but it is in no sense like the Jewish or the Scotch Sabbath!
... وَإِنَّ
رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ
بَيْنَهُمْ
يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
فِيمَا كَانُواْ
فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ﴿١٢٤﴾
but Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment as to their differences.
C2160. Cf. 2:113.
Pickthall’s Version:
16: 124
Pickthall The Sabbath was appointed only for those who differed concerning it, and lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
Transliteration Innama_ ju'ilas sabtu 'alal lazina-khtalafu_ fih(i), wa inna rabbaka layahkumu bainahum yaumal qiya_mati fima_ ka_nu_ fihi yakhtalifu_n(a).
[[ Ali’s notes - 2159 If Abraham's Way was the right way, the Jews were ready with the taunt, "Why don't you then observe the Sabbath?" The answer is twofold. (1) The Sabbath has nothing to do with Abraham. It was instituted with the Law of Moses because of Israel's hardness of heart (ii. 74); for they constantly disputed with their Prophet Moses (iii 108), and there were constantly among them afterwards men who broke the Sabbath (ii. 65, and n. 79). (2) Which was the true Sabbath Day? The Jews observe Saturday. The Christians, who include the Old Testament in their inspired Scripture, observe Sunday, and a sect among them (the Seventh Day Adventists) disagree, and observe Saturday. So there is disagreement among the People of the Book. Let them dispute among themselves. Their dispute will not be settled till the Day of Judgment. Meanwhile, Muslims are emancipated from such stringent restrictions. For them there is certainly the Day of United Prayer on Friday, but it is in no sense like the Jewish or the Scotch Sabbath! (16.124)
2160 Cf. ii. 113. (16.124)]]