Sura 6, al-Anam (Cattle) Mecca 55

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Translation:

وَلاَ تَأْكُلُواْ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ ...

6: 121. Eat not of (meats) on which Allah's name hath not been pronounced:

that would be impiety.

...وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَآئِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ ...

But the evil ones ever inspire their friends to contend with you;

...وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ ﴿١٢١﴾

if ye were to obey them, ye would indeed be pagans.

Transliteration Wa la_ ta'kulu_ mimma_ lam yuzkarismulla_hi 'alaihi wa innahu_ lafisq(un), wa innasy syaya_tina layu_hu_na ila_ auliya_'ihim liyuja_dilu_kum, wa in ata'tumu_hum innakum lamusyriku_n(a).

Other Translations:

6: 121

Asad

Hence, ear not of that over which God’s name has not been pronounced: for this would be sinful conduct indeed. And, verily, the evil impulses [within men’s hearts] whisper unto those who have made them their own [note 106] that they should involve you in argument [as to what is and what is not a sin]; and if you pay heed unto them, lo! you will become [like] those who ascribe divinity to other beings or forces beside God [note 107].

Pickthall

And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned, for lo! it is abomination. Lo! the devils do inspire thee minions to dispute with you. But if ye obey them, ye will be in truth idolaters.

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Amatulla’s comment: – God sets the standard and no other parameter should be violating or superseding that standard regarding food or anything else.

Asad’s note 106 –Lit., “the satans whisper unto those who are near to them (ila awliya ihim). For my above rendering of “shayatin” as “evil impulses” , see note 10 on 2:14 and note 31 on 14:22.

Asad’s note 107 – I.e., “your own evil impulses are trying to draw you into argument as to what does and what does not constitute a sin in order to make you lose sight of God’s clear ordinances in this respect; and if you follow their arbitrary, deceptive reasoning, you will elevate them, as to were, to the position of moral law-givers, and thus ascribe to them a right that belongs to God alone.”