Anam 143-145 | aamsaafanquran's Blog

Anam 143-145

143- THREE PAIRS, TWO OF THE SHEEP AND TWO OF THE GOATS, SAY: DID HE (ALLAH) FORBID THE TWO MALES OR THE TWO FEMALES, OR WHAT IS IN THE WOMBS OF THE TWO FEMALES?  INFORM ME OUT OF THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL.

144- AND TWO OF THE CAMELS AND TWO OF THE COWS; SAY: DID HE FORBID THE TWO MALES OR THE TWO FEMALES OR WHAT IS IN THE WOMBS OF THE TWO FEMALES, OR WERE YOU WITNESSES WHEN ALLAH INSTRUCTED YOU WITH THIS?  BUT WHO IS TRANSGRESSING MORE THAN THOSE WHO INVENT LIES CONCERNING ALLAH, TO MISGUIDE PEOPLE AND WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE.  INDEED ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE TRANSGRESSING PEOPLE.

145- SAY: I DO NOT FIND IN WHAT IS BEING REVEALED TO ME ANY THING FORBIDDEN FOR A PERSON TO EAT UNLESS IT IS DEAD, RUNNING BLOOD, OR PIG’S MEAT FOR THIS IS IMPURE, OR A WICKED THING WHICH HAD OTHER THAN ALLAH’S NAME INVOKED ON IT, BUT HOWEVER IS COMPELLED WITHOUT BEING A TRANSGRESSOR OR INTENDING TO DO WRONG, YOUR LORD IS MOST FORGIVING AND MOST COMPASSIONATE INDEED.

Allah the Highest is showing the ignorance of the Arab Idolaters at the time, in forbidding eating some animals and allowing others, without any evidence or reference, claiming that it is all from Allah the Highest which it was not.  Allah the Highest is rebuking those who make prohibitions without authority or reference.  Asking in a critical way if:

1-     They had any special knowledge.

2-    It they witnessed the instructions to such prohibitions. 

We have to remember that the general rule is that all things are allowed, except what Allah the Highest prohibited clearly.

Allah the Highest is telling His prophet prayer and peace upon him the answer he gives the disbelievers.  None of the prohibitions they claim has been revealed to him, and stating the prohibited food to be:

1-    Dead animals, which are animals that died by any means other that being slaughtered.

2-    Running blood, which excludes any blood we find in the meat.

3-    Pig’s flesh.

4-    Animals which were slaughtered but had any name other than Allah’s name invoked on them when slaughtered.

Although the above should not be eaten, yet we can and should use their skins, fur, wool etc, as was mentioned earlier. 

Some people invent prohibitions out of ignorance and without any solid knowledge. Like in forbidding prawns and crabs, although Allah the Highest allows us to eat anything that comes out of the sea, even if dead.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “The sea; its water is pure and purifies, and its deal is halal to eat”.

 Allah the Highest did not give any one else the authority to prohibit what Allah has allowed.  Allowance is the rule and prohibition is the exception.  The prohibitions are stated in the Quran or Hadith in very clear and unambiguous terms.

Even with these prohibitions, we are allowed to eat and drink the prohibited food and drinks if compelled to, such as when:

1-    If this is the only food or drink available for us and our life or health will be endangered if we do not eat or drink.

2-    If by not eating such foods a Muslim will reveal that he is a Muslim among enemies, which endangered his life.

“BUT WHOEVER IS COMPELLED WITHOUT BEING WILLFULLY DISOBEDIENT OR TRANSGRESSOR, HE INCURS NO GUILT, FOR ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL”.  (S:2 A:173)

Only Allah the Highest knows if we are willfully disobedient or not.