Muslims Are Allowed to Pay Interest, e.g. on a Car or Home Loan

Many Muslims believe the law regarding interest applies to both people who charge interest and pay interest. However, the Quran makes it clear that what is forbidden is only the charging of interest or usury.

Definition of Riba

To understand the meaning of riba, Verses 2:278-279 give us a good understanding of what riba is.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains of interest (Arabic: baqiya min riba), if you should be believers. (2:278)
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ
And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your capital sums (Arabic: amwaalikum) – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged. (2:279)

The Arabic word “amwaalikum” means “your capital sums”. In most cases, this means your original or principal amount of money that you lend someone. If you charge someone interest, then you will receive your original loan amount + interest. Mathematically, the equation would read

Original Loan Amount + Interest = Total

The verses above instruct people to give up what remains of interest and to repent and if they do so, they can keep their capital sums or the original money they lent to someone.

Trade vs Usury

Making a profit from trade is different from making a profit from usury. According to verse 2:275, trade is allowed but usury is not.

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا ۗ وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ۚ فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
Those who consume usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Satan has confounded by his touch. That is because they say: “Trade is like usury,” but God has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for God (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein. (2:275)

Example of trade

If you buy a product for x and sell it for x + 10 (profit), then that is trade.

Example of riba

If you lend someone 5 apples and one month later expect 7 apples in return, then the excess of 2 apples constitutes riba.

If you or a bank loans some money to someone with an interest rate (beyond currency inflation), then the profit from interest constitutes riba.

Capital sums

According to verse 2:279, a creditor is entitled to their capital back. Therefore, if the commodity lent is money, then it’s reasonable to expect the creditor to receive capital plus inflation since the value of money changes over time.

Exorbitant interest

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. (3:130)

Some people may use verse 3:130 to define usury as exorbitant interest. However, this verse merely indicates that usury, excessive or not, is forbidden. It is verses 2:278-279 which provide a suitable definition for riba.

Paying interest

There is no prohibition against paying interest. The prohibition is strictly and specifically limited to receiving interest.

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Prophet Muhammad Was Not Illiterate. He Could Read and Write.

Many Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad was illiterate and could not read and write. However, there is strong evidence in the Quran that indicates that he was literate. Many people take verse 7:157 as proof that Muhammad was illiterate because they think the word “ummi” means illiterate.

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ
Those who follow the Messenger, the illiterate (ummi) prophet … (7:157 part)

Definition of “Ummi”

However, according to Edward Lanes Lexicon, the classical Arabic term ‘Ummi’ refers to a gentile or someone who is not familiar with the Law of Prophet Moses. It is not necessarily someone who is illiterate.

Definition of “Gentile”

The term Gentile is of Latin origin and from the word ‘Gentilis’ which means to be associated with or being part of a particular tribe or clan. It refers to non-Israelite tribes and is used to refer to non-Jews.

Today, the primary meaning of gentile still remains as someone who is a “non-Jew” and is not a reader of the Torah or has any Jewish origins.

Non-Jews can be “ummi”

One does not have to be a non-Jew in order to not know the Law of Moses. In verse 2:78 we see proof that even some Jews were “ummi” as they did not know their own scripture.

وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا أَمَانِيَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
And among them (Jews) are “ummi” ones who do not know the Scripture except in wishful thinking, but they are only assuming. (2:78)

“Ummi” cannot mean illiterate

If we translate the word ‘Ummi’ to mean ‘Illiterate’ (Cannot read and write), the following Quranic verse would make no sense.

فَإِنْ حَاجُّوكَ فَقُلْ أَسْلَمْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِ ۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ وَالْأُمِّيِّينَ أَأَسْلَمْتُمْ ۚ فَإِنْ أَسْلَمُوا فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
So if they argue with you, say, “I have submitted myself to Allah [in Islam], and [so have] those who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the “ummi”, “Have you submitted yourselves?” And if they submit [in Islam], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away – then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants. (3:20)

In the verse above, God is commanding Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to proclaim the message to the Jews and Christians (recipients) of the previous scriptures and the ‘Ummis’. If one renders ‘Ummi’ here as ‘Illiterate’ then the verse becomes nonsensical as it appears God is asking the Prophet to proclaim the message to those of the previous scriptures and the illiterates. This rendering would unnecessarily exclude those who could read and write but would have not received the scripture.

In another example, if we try to assume “ummi” to mean “illiterate”, then the following verse would erroneously imply that God raised a messenger only amongst people who could not read and write. That obviously makes no sense at all.

هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
It is He who has sent among the “ummi” a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom – although they were before in clear error – (62:2)

In another example, if we try to assume “ummi” to mean “illiterate”, then the following verse would mean that some from the People of the Book said that they had no accountability to illiterate people. Once again, that makes no sense at all.

وَمِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مَنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنطَارٍ يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِ إِلَيْكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَائِمًا ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ سَبِيلٌ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] silver coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, “There is no blame / duty / accountability upon us concerning the ‘ummi’.” And they speak untruth about Allah while they know [it]. (3:75)

Muhammad was an “ummi” (didn’t know / read any prior scripture)

If we take the word “ummi” to mean anyone who didn’t know about or read scriptures prior to the Quran, then verses 42:52 and 29:48 prove that Muhammad was one of them.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book (prior scripture) or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path – (42:52)
وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُو مِن قَبْلِهِ مِن كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًا لَّارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ
And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise, the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt. (29:48)

Note:

The reference to not being able to ‘write it with your right hand’ is not a reference to the Quran. This is clearly a reference to the previous scriptures which is deduced by context. The verse informs the reader that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was neither a reader nor writer of the previous scriptures and hence had no knowledge of its contents, begging the question, so where did he get his knowledge from? This verse also suggests that, contrary to popular belief, the prophet had the ability to both read and write.

Ability to read and write

If the Prophet could not read or write, why would a statement informing people that he did not read or write anything of the ‘previous scriptures’ be stated? Similarly, in English, if one makes a statement that X did not read book Y specifically, its shows the ability of X to actually read, the only exception being in this context, of course, that book Y was not read by X.

No expectation of prophethood

In verse 28:86, we see that the prophet didn’t even expect that he’d become a prophet.

وَمَا كُنتَ تَرْجُو أَن يُلْقَىٰ إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابُ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرًا لِّلْكَافِرِينَ
And you were not expecting that the Book would be conveyed to you, but [it is] a mercy from your Lord. So do not be an assistant to the disbelievers. (28:86)

Additional proof Muhammad was not illiterate

In verse 25:5, we see that disbelievers accused the Prophet of writing down the scripture with his own hands.

وَقَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
And they say, “Legends of the former peoples which he has written down (Arabic: ik’tatabaha), and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.” (25:5)

The Arabic gives us the root of the term ‘iktatabaha’ as K-T-B.

Kaf-Ta-Ba = he wrote it, prescribed, appointed, ordained, to dictate it, judged, decreed, drew, brought together, collected, conjoined, a thing in which or on which one writes, record, registered writ.

iktataba is the perfect active verbal form of kataba

Therefore the verb means that either the Prophet had the Quran written down or he himself wrote it down.

Source: Edward Lanes Lexicon

If the intention was to imply that he ’caused others to write it’ or ‘had it dictated’, it would arguably have been better to use the word ‘aktaba’.

Source: Edward Lanes Lexicon

However, since the word used was ‘iktataba’, then it is most likely referring to the fact that the Prophet himself wrote the Quran which means he was not illiterate.

Sources that suggest Muhammad was illiterate

Muslims seem to believe that Muhammad was illiterate based on some hadith. Ironically, the hadith themselves also indicate that Muhammad could write as proven in the following “sahih” hadith.

Narrated Yazid ibn Abdullah:… We then asked: Who wrote this document for you? He replied: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Grade : Sahih in chain (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 2999
In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 72
English translation : Book 19, Hadith 2993
https://sunnah.com/abudawud/20/72

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Jesus is Dead & He Ain’t Comin’ Back – A Quranic Analysis

Some people think that Jesus is dead. Others think that he is alive on earth or in Heaven or Paradise and that he will return. Let’s see what God says about this in the Quran. In verse 5:117, we see a statement that God caused Jesus to die and that after Jesus died, God became the witness over Jesus’ people. The dialogue is between God and Jesus and takes place on the Day of Judgment.

مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
I (Jesus) did not say anything to them except what you commanded me with: To worship God, my Lord and your Lord, and I was a witness over them as long as I was among them, but when you caused me to die (Arabic: Tawafaytani), you were the watcher over them, and you are witness of all things. (5:117 part)

In verse 3:55, we see proof that God will cause Jesus to die before raising him.

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَىٰ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
When God said: “O Jesus! Verily, I shall cause you to die (Arabic: Mutawafeeka), and shall exalt you (Arabic: Rafiuka) to Me, and cleanse you of [the presence of] those who are bent on denying the truth; and I shall place those who follow you [far] above those who are bent on denying the truth, to the Day of Resurrection. In the end, to Me you must all return and I shall judge between you with regards to all on which you differed. (3:55 part)

The word “Mutawafeeka” comes from the word “tawaffa” which means “to cause to die”. Here is the definition from the Edward Lanes Lexicon.

This word and its correct meaning is used in many other verses including 16:70, 3:193, 7:126, 47:27, 2:234, 2:240, 2:281, 4:15, 4:97, and 6:61.

The word “Rafiuka” comes from the root word “raffa” which means “to be raised / raised to a high station”. It doesn’t literally mean cause Jesus to be lifted to ascend to Heaven but rather to raise Jesus in rank or status, e.g. exalt him. This expression is also used in verse 19:56-57 where Prophet Idris was also raised to a high station / exalted.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
”And make mention in the Scripture of Idris. Indeed! he was a saint, a prophet; And We raised him to high station. (Arabic: Rafa’nahu)” (19:56-57)

As a reminder to readers of how many translations of the Quran can be very misleading, following are some translations of part of verse 3:55 above. Apparently, many translators try to avoid saying that Jesus is dead.

TranslatorTranslation
Sahih International“O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself …
Pickthall“O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me…”
Yusuf Ali“O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself…”
Shakir“O Isa! I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me”
Muhammad SarwarHe told Jesus, “I will save you from your enemies, raise you to Myself…”
Mohsin Khan“O ‘Iesa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself….”
Farooq-i-Azam Malik“O Isa (Jesus)! I am going to recall you (from your mission) and raise you up to Myself….”
Ahmed Ali“O Jesus! I will take you to Myself and exalt you…..”

In verse 5:109, we see proof that no messenger will know what happened on earth after they die. This includes prophet Jesus as he was not specifically excluded.

يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ اللَّهُ الرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَا أُجِبْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا لَا عِلْمَ لَنَاإِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ
“One day God will gather the messengers together, and ask: “What was the response you received (from men to your teaching)?” They will say: “We have no knowledge: it is You Who knows in full all that is hidden.” (5:109)

In verses 4:157-158, God says that the Jews did not kill not crucify Jesus and that God raised Jesus to a high station / exalted him.

وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَٰكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِلَّا اتِّبَاعَ الظَّنِّ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ يَقِينًا بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
‘And they said (in boast), “Behold, we have slain the Christ Jesus, son of Mary, messenger of God” However, they did not slay him, and neither did they crucify him (Arabic: Salabuhu), but it appeared so to them; and, verily those who hold conflicting views thereon are indeed confused, having no [real] knowledge thereof, and following mere conjecture. For, of a certainty, they did not slay him’ ‘Nay, God exalted him (Arabic: rafa-ahu) to Himself – and God is indeed almighty, wise’ (4:157-158)

However, this verse doesn’t mean that Jesus was raised to a high station while he was alive. If it meant that, then that would contradict verse 3:55. Therefore, this verse just means that the Jews didn’t kill Jesus but rather they killed someone who was made to resemble Jesus.

In we compare verses 19:33 to 19:15, we see that the lifecycle of Prophet Jesus matches that of Prophet Yahya (John). That is that they both were born, died, and will be raised up to life again.

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
“So peace is on me (Prophet Jesus) the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)”! (19:33)
وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
So Peace on him (Prophet Yahya) the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)! (19:15)

In verses 5:109-115, God tells us about many events related to Prophet Jesus. If Jesus were to come back and return to earth, it would be hard to believe that such an important event would be omitted from the verses above or anywhere else in the Quran.

If we compare verse 3:144 to verse 5:75, we see that Prophet Jesus passed away just like all of the other messengers.

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ
“Muhammad is no more than a messenger: many were the messengers that passed away before him …” (3:144 part)
مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ
Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him … (5:75 part)

In verses 21:7-8, God says to Muhammad that all prophets were humans like him and they all passed away.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ وَمَا جَعَلْنَاهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا خَالِدِينَ
And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know. And We did not make the prophets forms not eating food, nor were they immortal. (21:7-8)

This is reiterated in verse 21:34.

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ ۖ أَفَإِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخَالِدُونَ
And We did not grant to any man before you (Muhammad) eternity [on earth]; so if you die – would they be eternal? (21:34)

To conclude, it should be clear now that Jesus is dead and then he was exalted in rank. Jesus is not alive neither on earth nor in Heaven and he will not come back.

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Many Muslims Are Wrong About Getting Help From Others on the Day of Judgment

Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad or someone special can help them on the Day of Judgment. However, the Quran makes it clear that no one, including Prophet Muhammad, can intercede and help anyone on that day. This is proven in verses 82:17-19.

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا يَوْمُ الدِّينِ ثُمَّ مَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا يَوْمُ الدِّينِ يَوْمَ لَا تَمْلِكُ نَفْسٌ لِّنَفْسٍ شَيْئًا ۖ وَالْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلَّهِ
And what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? Again, what can make you know what is the Day of Recompense? It is the Day when a soul will not possess for another soul [power to do] a thing; and the command, that Day, is [entirely] with Allah. (82:17-19)

According to verse 46:9, prophet Muhammad doesn’t know what will happen to himself let alone anyone else. His job was just to warn people.

قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يُفْعَلُ بِي وَلَا بِكُمْ ۖ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
Say, “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (46:9)

According to verses 7:188 and 10:49, prophet Muhammad had no power of good or harm to himself and he had no knowledge of the unseen.

قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ ۚ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say (O Muhammad), “I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allah has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe.” (7:188)
قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۗ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ ۚ إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
Say (O Muhammad), “I possess not for myself any harm or benefit except what Allah should will. For every nation is a [specified] term. When their time has come, then they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].” (10:49)

According to verse 39:19, God makes it clear that no one can save anyone else who is in Hell.

أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِي النَّارِ
Then, is one who has deserved the decree of punishment [to be guided]? Then, can you save one who is in the Fire? (39:19)

According to verses 2:48 and 2:123, no intercession will be accepted to help anyone on the Day of Judgement.

وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided. (2:48)
وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا لَّا تَجْزِي نَفْسٌ عَن نَّفْسٍ شَيْئًا وَلَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا عَدْلٌ وَلَا تَنفَعُهَا شَفَاعَةٌ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, and no compensation will be accepted from it, nor will any intercession benefit it, nor will they be aided. (2:123)

The fact that no intercession will exist is reiterated in 2:254.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خُلَّةٌ وَلَا شَفَاعَةٌ ۗ وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers – they are the wrongdoers. (2:254)

According to verse 9:80, even if prophet Muhammad asks 70 times for God to forgive someone, God will not forgive.

اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muhammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times – never will Allah forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

According to verse 9:113, prophet Muhammad and believers are forbidden from praying for polytheists, even if they were close relatives.

مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire. (9:113)

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Wills and Inheritance Law According to the Quran

Some Muslims believe that you are not allowed to write a will before dying and that inheritance is strictly based on the percentages specified in the Quran. However, not only is writing a will allowed, it’s even a prescribed duty for all Muslims. This is proven in verse 2:180.

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest (will) for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable / reasonable / fair – a duty upon the righteous. (2:180)

In other words, if you do not make a will, then you violate verse 2:106.

According to verse 5:106, when you make a will, you need two witnesses.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِّنكُمْ أَوْ آخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِن بَعْدِ الصَّلَاةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِاللَّهِ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِي بِهِ ثَمَنًا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَادَةَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّمِنَ الْآثِمِينَ
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest – [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], “We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah . Indeed, we would then be of the sinful.” (5:106)

According to verse 4:7, one must leave a will for parents and near relatives.

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much – an obligatory share. (4:7)

Some Muslims may argue that Quran chapter 4 (surah Nisaa) abrogates or replaces the requirement to make and follow a will in verse 2:180. However, upon careful analysis, it becomes clear that the inheritance verses in Surah Nisaa only apply after any debts have been paid and the will has been executed. Of course, if no will exists, the specific inheritance percentages specified in Surah Nisaa would apply.

… مِن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِي بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ …
(the distribution stipulated) … after (Arabic: ba’di) any will (Arabic: wasiyyatin) which he has made or any debts … (4:11)
… مِّن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوصُونَ بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ …
(the distribution stipulated) … after (Arabic: ba’di) any will (Arabic: wasiyyatin) which was made or any debts … (4:12)

Obviously, if the distribution stipulations in chapter 4 were only to be followed, then there would be no point in God requiring everyone to make a will (2:180).

Furthermore, according to verse 2:181, no one has the authority to prevent someone from making a will or to change an existing will.

فَمَن بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَمَا سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّمَا إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Then whoever alters the bequest (will) after he has heard it – the sin is only upon those who have altered it. Indeed, God is Hearing and Knowing. (2:181)

However, according to 2:182, if one feels any wrongdoing on the part of the person making the will (testator), then they are allowed to reconcile / correct the issue with the testator.

فَمَنْ خَافَ مِن مُّوصٍ جَنَفًا أَوْ إِثْمًا فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلَا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
But if one fears from the bequeather [some] error or sin and corrects that which is between them, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful. (2:182)

Some Muslims get a headache when trying to understand verses 4:11-12 to determine shares of inheritance. If Muslims just followed the Quranic requirement to create a will, then there would be no need to feel guilty or confused when trying to understand verses 4:11-12. Nevertheless, one must keep in mind that a will (wasiyya) should be made with fairness / reasonableness (bil-ma’rufin) in mind. It should not intend to hurt or compromise (ghayra mudarrin – 4:12) other beneficiaries, e.g. by not giving a fair portion to one’s closest relatives.

In the end, only God knows which relatives such as parents or children are nearer to one in benefit.

آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا
Your parents or your children – you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. (4:11)

Obviously, the benefit of God allowing people to create a will is so that people have the flexibility to adjust shares taking into account certain circumstances that may exist, e.g. if a sole parent has two children and one child is filthy rich and the other is poor, the parent has the authority to give more to the poor child since that child, obviously, would need the money more than the rich kid.

If a will doesn’t exist or if a will leaves a remainder to be divided, then one must follow the distribution stipulations in 4:11-12. I have made a flowchart to help with this matter. It can be found at

http://quranbasedislam.com/inheritance-flowchat

What happens when a will doesn’t exist and Quranic distribution shares don’t add up to 100%?

This is a common question asked when people try to divide an inheritance when there is no will. For example, if the deceased has no legal heirs / relatives except for one sister, then the Quran states that the sister gets ½ of the inheritance. So what must be done with the remaining half?

First of all, you should never be in this situation to begin with because the Quran requires that you create a will (2:180) and nowhere in the Quran does it limit what percentage of your wealth can be specified in the will. So, if people just follow the Quran’s mandates, they can make a will accounting for 100% of their wealth and there would be no problems. Of course, debts must be paid first.

Secondly, if for some reason there is no will, which unfortunately seems to happen very often, then in the event the Quranic inheritance distribution shares don’t add up to 100%, then the remainder logically needs to be divided somehow. The Quran does not specify what to do with the remainder. This may be so as to offer flexibility in dividing the remainder to whoever deserves it based on each family’s situation. For example, if the only legal heirs are two sisters and there is no will, then the Quran indicates that the sisters share 2/3 of the inheritance, i.e. each gets 1/3. The remaining 1/3 can be allocated based on the appointed executor(s) judgment keeping in mind verse 2:180 which requires allocation to be fair and appropriate (bil-ma’rufin) and verse 4:12 which requires that allocation not be done with the intention of hurting anyone (ghayra mudarrin). Following are examples of ways the remaining 1/3 can be divided:

  • if one sister is filthy rich and the other is poor, then logically the poor sister would be more in need of the extra inheritance and therefore may deserve some or all of the remaining 1/3
  • if there are other relatives or orphans or needy people present during the time of the inheritance distribution, then according to verse 4:8, they should and could get the remaining 1/3
  • if both sisters are equal financially and there are no other relatives, orphans or needy people present, then the two sisters could divide the remaining 1/3 equally

Obviously, the best person to decide how their inheritance should be distributed would be the person who dies. For that reason, it makes sense that God would require everyone to make a will. Inheritance executors, e.g. probate court judges, probably don’t know how to best distribute any remaining inheritance and they probably don’t want to make decisions regarding someone else’s wealth. Again, that is why it is imperative that everyone make a will, even if that will closely matches the Quranic inheritance distribution stipulations with slight modifications to add up to 100%.

The example above is where the Quranic distribution percentage doesn’t add up to 100%. There’s also the possibility where the percentages add up to over 100%. Consider the following example where a man dies and is survived by his wife, 3 daughters and both parents.

RelativeShare FractionShare Percentage
Wife1/812.5%
3 Daughters2/366.7%
Mother1/616.7%
Father1/616.7%
Total112.5%

In this example, the distribution exceeds 100% by 12.5%. Since that makes no sense, the only logical thing to do is reduce everyone’s percentage proportionally to reach 100%. Again, this would not be an issue if the deceased had just made a will with a 100% distribution. This is exactly what is done in the online Islamic inheritance calculator at

http://inheritance.ilmsummit.org/projects/inheritance/home.aspx

Are the Quranic distribution percentages fair?

Many people insist that they must follow the Quranic percentages even though verse 2:180 mandates that everyone make a will and distribute their inheritance with fairness and reasonableness. Now, let’s consider a hypothetical situation whereby a man is married to someone for 20 years. His parents have passed away and he has no siblings. The man then divorces his wife and remarries. One day after his 2nd wedding, he dies without having written a will. In this particular case, the Quranic percentages would result in the following distribution:

RelativeShare FractionShare Percentage
Ex-wife of 20 years00
Wife of 1 day1100%

As you can see, the ex-wife of 20 years gets nothing and the new wife of 1 day gets 100%. This clearly violates verse 2:180 because it’s clearly an unfair and unreasonable distribution considering the duration of the marriages. This is yet another example that shows why it is absolutely necessary, not to mention mandatory, to make a will. Without one, there’s a good chance that inheritance distributions would not be fair.

With a will, is there a limit to how much you can distribute?

Some Muslims will argue that the most you can allocate in a will is 1/3 (33%) of your total assets. This value is nowhere to be found in the Quran. It comes from the hadith. For proof as to why the hadith is invalid, please see my other book titled: Analysis of Validity of Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith – Is It Truly From Muhammad And Valid Islamic Law?

As stated in verse 22:78, God has not made His religion difficult or overly complex.

وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ
And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. … (22:78 part)

It’s usually people who tend to make God’s religion difficult and overly complex. At the end of the day, according to verse 64:16 what matters most is that you make an effort to do the best you can.

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
So fear God [by keeping your duty to him] as best as you can / what you are able (Arabic: ma is’tata’tum) and listen and obey and spend [in the way of God]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful. (64:16 part)

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Most Muslims Are Wrong About Halal Food

Do you have to pronounce God’s name before eating anything?

Most Muslims believe that you must pronounce God’s name only before slaughtering animals to make the meat halal. However, according to verse 6:118, you must pronounce God’s name before eating any food.

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُم بِآيَاتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ
So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses. (6:118)

This verse does not restrict the pronouncing of God’s name on animals so as to produce halal meat. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even say you’re supposed to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering any animal. This verse indicates that one should mention God’s name before eating.

Reason for pronouncing God’s name before eating

The spiritual reason for pronouncing God’s name on our food before eating it is to constantly remember and be appreciative of God’s blessings on us. This is explained in verse 16:114.

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ –
Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. (16:114)

This act of showing appreciation to God by reciting God’s name before we eat would not belong to us if only people who slaughtered animals had to recite God’s name.

Similar statement in the Torah / Bible

In the Torah / Bible, we find a similar commandment in Deuteronomy 8:10.

… “When you have eaten and are satisfied, bless (praise) the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.” … (Deuteronomy 8:10)

In this verse, however, it says to bless “after the meal” and not before the meal.

Conclusion

You must pronounce God’s name before eating anything, not just meat. In Christianity, this is called “saying grace” which is a statement of appreciation of the food one is about to eat.


What really is “halal” food?

Most Muslims believe that meat can only be eaten if it is “halal” meat and that “halal” meat is only meat from an animal that had God’s name pronounced on it just before slaughtering it. However, according to the Quran, the recitation of God’s name, e.g. bismillah, is required before eating all food and is not required before slaughtering an animal.

Popular definition of “halal” meat

Most Muslims believe that “halal” meat is meat that had God’s name pronounced on it just before slaughtering it. Some Muslims will add additional requirements such as a particular way the animal is slaughtered to minimize suffering and expedite death. These requirements are nowhere to be found in the Quran. Jews have a similar understanding with the concept of “kosher” meat.

Quranic definition of “halal” food

The Quran makes it clear that all food is halal except for specific ones, e.g. pig, alcohol, running blood, and except for ones in certain conditions, e.g. animals gored to death or rotting carcasses.

Do not prohibit the lawful and vice versa

By changing the meaning of verse 6:118 to prohibit eating meat that isn’t considered “halal” meat, one would find himself in violation of verse 16:116.

وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, “This is lawful and this is unlawful,” to invent falsehood about Allah . Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed. (16:116)

As you can imagine, prohibiting something that God never prohibited can have serious consequences. In verses 6:148-150, we see that some people prohibited something that God never prohibited. God told Muhammad not to agree with them.

قُلْ هَلُمَّ شُهَدَاءَكُمُ الَّذِينَ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ هَٰذَا ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا فَلَا تَشْهَدْ مَعَهُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
Say, [O Muhammad], “Bring forward your witnesses who will testify that Allah has prohibited this.” And if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the desires of those who deny Our verses and those who do not believe in the Hereafter, while they equate [others] with their Lord. (6:150)

Prohibited food and meat

Verses 2:173, 5:3, 6:145, and 16:115 make it clear what food is halal (lawful) and haram (prohibited).

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ …
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. … (5:3)

The food of the People of the Book

According to verse 5:5, we see that God made it lawful for Muslims to eat the food fo the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ …
This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. … (5:5)

In general, we know that non-Muslims do not pronounce the name of God before killing an animal. Nevertheless, according to verse 5:5, God has made their food lawful for Muslims. This further proves that God does not require Muslims to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal. However, if we eat food, e.g. steak, that originated from a Christian slaughterhouse, which God has allowed us to do, then we would still have to pronounce God’s name on it before eating it to comply with the requirement in verse 6:118.

Conclusion

Halal meat and halal food is any food that isn’t prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115


Do you have to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal?

Some Muslim scholars argue that since verse 22:36 indicates that God’s name should be uttered before slaughtering animals, then not doing so would render the meat non-halal and forbidden for consumption. On first impression, their claim seems valid. However, upon closer inspection and considering the context of neighboring verses, we discover the correct meaning of the verse as explained below.

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. (22:36)

There are a few important points to note:

  1. This verse speaks about the ritual of animal offering / sacrifice during the Hajj. The surah containing this verse is called “Hajj” and if we start reading from verse 27, we see the subject of these related verses has to do with the hajj and hajj rituals. This means that the rules given in these verses apply only during the hajj.
  2. While the animals are lined up during the Hajj, those observing the Hajj should commemorate the name of God on these animals. The people who are pronouncing God’s name are the people who are observing the Hajj, not the people who are slaughtering the animals. The utterance of God’s name is not associated with the actual slaughtering.
  3. To further prove that the uttering of God’s name on these animals during Hajj has nothing to do with make makes meat halal, we note that God’s command to utter His name while the animals are lined up is no different from God’s command to those observing Hajj to constantly utter and commemorate God’s name throughout the Hajj. This is indicated in the following verses
And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of God on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the despondent poor. (22:27-28)
And remember God during [specific] numbered days. (2:203)
But when you depart from ‘Arafat, remember God at al- Mash’ar al-Haram. (2:198)
And when you have completed your rites, remember God … (2:200)

The verses above indicate that God should be commemorated during every step of the Hajj. Commemorating and pronouncing God’s name on the animals while they are lined up for sacrifice is just a continuation of the rule to constantly commemorate God’s name throughout the entire Hajj from beginning to end.

Conclusion

You do not have to pronounce God’s name before slaughtering an animal.


Is slaughtering the only approved way of killing an animal for food?

Some Islamic scholars claim that slaughtering is the only Islamic way of killing animals for food. However, this is nowhere stated in the Quran. Some people justify their claim by saying that blood is prohibited for consumption and that slaughtering is the only way to remove all blood from a dead animal. Obviously, that argument is false and can easily be verified. If you buy a cut of meat from any “halal butcher”, then take it home and place it under running water, you will always see blood come out, which was presumably slaughtered according to the Islamic way.

Blood

When an animal is slaughtered, the main arteries in the neck are severed. This drains from the body all the blood that was in the main arteries. However, the body of all animals contains a vast number of tiny veins and millions of capillaries. Capillaries are the smallest of the body’s blood vessels. Some of them are only one cell thick. The blood in the very small blood veins and capillaries will not all be drained from the flesh of the slaughtered animal. Much of the blood will remain trapped in the flesh regardless of the method of killing.

Running Blood

Verse 5:3 states that eating “blood” is prohibited. If this means that even a speck of blood was prohibited for consumption, then all meat would be prohibited, which can’t be true since verse 22:36 indicates that, during the hajj, animals are to be sacrificed to be eaten. Fortunately, verse 6:145 clarifies that the type of blood that is prohibited is “running blood”.

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ …
Say, “I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal or blood spilled (running blood) out or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure – or it be [that slaughtered in] disobedience, dedicated to other than Allah. … (6:145)

God knows that there will always be blood trapped in all flesh and that we will never be able to flush it all out. For that reason, God made it clear in 6:145 that the prohibition is against “running blood”.

Any meat we buy from any “halal butcher” will not contain running blood but will always contain trapped blood. Similarly, the meat we buy from any supermarket will not contain running blood but will contain trapped flood.

Food of the People of the Book

If God decreed slaughtering to be the only lawful way to kill an animal, then why did God allow us in verse 5:5 to eat the food of the People of the Book as long as we pronounce God’s name on it before eating it when we have no idea how it was killed?

Animals killed by trained birds of prey and dogs

Similarly, if God decreed slaughtering to be the only lawful way to kill an animal, then why did God allow us in verse 5:5 to eat animals killed by trained birds of prey and dogs? These animals are already dead when we take them from the mouth of the birds and dogs.

Fish

Similarly, if animals had to be slaughtered, how can we eat fish since fish are not slaughtered? Like the meat of cattle, fish contain traces of blood when we buy them. We can remove some of the blood by running the fish under running water but not all.

Conclusion

  • God never decreed that slaughtering is the only lawful way to kill an animal.
  • Slaughtering does not remove all blood from a dead animal
  • The prohibition from God is against “running blood” and not trapped blood which is impossible to flush out completely.

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Circumcision Is Not Required Among Muslim Boys / Men

Many Muslims believe that their male boys must be circumcised. However, there is nothing in the Quran that requires circumcision. There really isn’t much else to say about this besides the fact that there just is simply no commandment in the Quran that boys / men must be circumcised. On the contrary, we do have proof in verses 95:4, 40:64 and 64:3 that God created humans in a perfect mold / form.

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
We have certainly created man in the best of molds; (95:4)
اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds. (40:64)
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
He created the heavens and earth in truth and formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination. (64:3)

Therefore, if God made humans in a perfect form and never commanded that we be circumcised, why do it?

As if that’s not enough, we have proof in verse 4:119 that people who change God’s creation are following Satan.

وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ الشَّيْطَانَ وَلِيًّا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَانًا مُّبِينًا
And I (Satan) will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of God.” And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of God has certainly sustained a clear loss. (4:119)

It is likely that Muslims believe in male circumcision because it’s mentioned in the Torah in Genesis 17:13.

הִמּוֹל יִמּוֹל יְלִיד בֵּיתְךָ, וּמִקְנַת כַּסְפֶּךָ; וְהָיְתָה בְרִיתִי בִּבְשַׂרְכֶם, לִבְרִית עוֹלָם.
He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised; and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. (17:13)
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0117.htm#13

Circumcision is also mentioned in the Christian Bible in Luke 2:21 which states that Jesus was circumcised 8 days after birth.

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (2:21)
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+2:21%E2%80%932:21&version=nrsv

As such, it would seem that many Muslims are mixing some Jewish and Christian practices with Islam, despite the fact that Muhammad was instructed to follow the Quran and warn by way of the Quran only (6:19, 50:45). In addition, we have evidence from verse 5:48 that God gave the People of the Book each their own laws (Sharia) and an open way.

وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۚ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجًا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and an open way. Had God willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To God is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. (5:48)

As such, Muslims are not expected to follow the laws and ways of the Jews and Christians.

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Muslim Women Are Not Exempt From Congregational Friday Prayers

Most Muslims believe that women are not required to pray Friday Dhuhr prayer in congregation. However, that understanding is based on the hadeeth which, as proven elsewhere in this book or in another one of my books, is an invalid source of Islamic law. The Quran in verse 62:9 makes it very clear that all believers must pray in congregation on Friday, not just men.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. (62:9)

Notice that the above verse does not single out men. Women, obviously, can be and are also believers.

In verse 3:43, God told Mary, mother of Jesus, to prostate and bow down with those who bow down. This confirms that congregational prayer was also directed to women.

يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].” (3:43)

In verse 3:193, we read that people were asking God for forgiveness and salvation. In verse 3:193, God responds by saying that men and like women and that He would not allow the deeds of anyone to be lost.

فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ
Their Lord has answered them: ‘I will not allow the deeds of any one of you to be lost, whether you are male or female, each is like the other.’ (3:195)

Additionally, God differentiated between men and women with regards to certain issues, e.g. men receive twice the inheritance as women and two women are required to be witnesses for each male witness. Therefore, if God wanted only men to pray the Friday prayer in congregation, He could have simply stated that it was only for men.

The above verse stresses the equality of male and female when it comes to worship, and signifies that the opportunities to worship should be equal for both men and women.

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Muslim Women Are Not Exempt From Fasting, Praying, etc During Menstruation

Many Muslims believe that women are forbidden from performing any rituals of worship while menstruating, e.g.

  • No praying
  • No fasting
  • No touching the Quran
  • No reciting the Quran
  • No entering a mosque
  • No Hajj

However, there is no such restriction in the Quran. When we consider verses 3:193-195, we see that, with respect to worship, men and women are equal.

رَّبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِرَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ ۖ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ …
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous. Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.” And their Lord responded to them, “Never will I allow to be lost the deeds of [any] doer among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. … (3:193-195 part)

In verse 51:56, we see that God created humans (men and women) and jinn for no other reason but to worship Him.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56)

The average menstruation period lasts between 2 to 7 days per month. Therefore, a woman’s menstruation period could account for 25% of their adult life, which is most of their life. As worship is not mandatory before puberty (baligh), which, for women, is when menstruation begins, then menstruation accounts for up to 25% of a woman’s life during which worship is actually mandatory. If worship during menstruation were truly forbidden, that would be at odds with verse 51:56. Logically, it would make no sense for God to create women with the sole purpose of having them worship Him while also prohibiting them from worshipping Him for up to 25% of their life.

The Quran is clear as to what restrictions exist for each act of worship.

Prayer restrictions

According to verse 5:6, the restriction is that you may not pray until you have performed ablution. Additionally, if you are ill or on a journey or have relieved yourself or have been in physical contact with the opposite gender, and if you can’t find water, then you can perform dry ablution (tayammum).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ …
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. … (5:6 part)

In verse 4:43, we see additional prayer restrictions. Here, you are not allowed to pray while your mind is befogged (unable to focus, distracted, angry, etc) and that you must know what you are saying.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ …
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer with a mind befogged (Arabic: sukara) until you know what you are saying … (4:43)

Notice the many conditions God has specified surrounding praying in both of these verses. These would be suitable places for God to mention the restriction for menstruating women if God really didn’t want women to pray while menstruating. There is no mention anywhere in the Quran that prohibits women from praying while menstruating.

Fasting restrictions

According to verse 2:185, during the fasting month of Ramadan, if you are ill or on a journey, then you can not fast and make up for it after Ramadan by fasting for an equal number of days lost.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ …
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. … (2:185 part)

Again, if God really wanted to restrict women from fasting during menstruation, He probably would have mentioned it in this verse. On the contrary, there is no mention anywhere in the Quran that specifically prohibits women from fasting while menstruating.

Hajj restrictions

Similarly, God has made it clear what the restrictions are regarding Hajj.

  • Verses 5:1-2, 5:95: No hunting, killing animals
  • Verse 2:217: No fighting / war
  • Verse 2:197: No sex
  • Verse 2:196: No cutting your hair

There is no restriction for menstruating women.

Similarly, there is no restriction for menstruating women from touching and reading the Quran and entering a mosque.

Menstruation vs illness

The Arabic word for menstruation (mahid) is known to the Quran and is used in two different verses (2:222, 65:4). However, this term is not mentioned in verse 2:185. The Arabic word for ‘illness’ is ‘marid’.

Some may argue that menstruation is an illness. Let’s examine this further. In verse 2:222, the Quran describes ‘menstruation’ as an ‘adha’.

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَاعْتَزِلُوا النِّسَاءَ فِي الْمَحِيضِ
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is ‘adha’, so keep away from women (your wives) during menstruation. …(2:222)

According to the Edward Lanes Lexicon, ‘adha’ means annoyance, harm, hurt, suffering or something which is disagreeable or even filthy.

However, more importantly, the Quran appears to separate illness (marid) from ‘adha’ in at least two verses:

فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ
… And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head …(2:196)
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ
… But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled (adha) by rain or are ill (marda) … (4:102)

Therefore, ‘adha’ can be considered a condition that can cause annoyance, trouble, is disagreeable or hurt. Based on the verses above, ‘adha’ does not necessarily mean an illness, unless it causes hurt or harm.

Menstruation as an impurity

Some may argue that menstruation is an impurity and therefore you can’t fast. Whether it is impure or not is irrelevant when it comes to fasting. Fasting is not broken by defecation or urination (a natural occurrence as is menstruation) so why would menstruation as an impurity prohibit fasting?

Menstruation and sexual intercourse

Sexual intimacy does break the fast but such acts are based on clear volition and the Quran specifically prohibits sexual intimacy during fasting. The only thing prohibited for menstruating women is sexual intercourse (2:222) and nothing else.

Spiritual vs biological impurity

As explained above, menstruating women are only prohibited from sexual intercourse and nothing else. They are not prohibited from performing any type of worship ritual during menstruation. This makes sense since God never considers women to be spiritually impure during menstruation. On the contrary, sexual intercourse during menstruation is prohibited because it is a temporary, periodic biological impurity that could cause harm (adha).

The Bible (Torah) on menstruation

In Leviticus 15:19-30, we see that the Bible describes menstruating women as spiritually impure so much so that if a menstruating woman touches something, that thing becomes impure and if someone else subsequently touches that thing, they too shall become impure. According to the Bible, menstruating women would be forbidden from entering a mosque or touching the Quran. Could it be that Muslim scholars have mixed Quranic law with Biblical law in order to come up with Islamic law with regards to menstruating women?

Conclusion

Women must fast and pray even when menstruating unless menstruation causes pain or harm similar to that of being sick. The only prohibition in the Quran during menstruation is sexual intercourse.

Related articles

Summary of the Quran

This is a summary of the Quran sourced from Wikipedia. It may be inaccurate. Nevertheless, it can help give an idea of the topics in each chapter.

Chapter 1: Al Fatihah – The Opening

1 In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
2 [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds –
3 The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
4 Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
5 It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
6 Guide us to the straight path –
7 The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

Chapter 2: Al Baqarah – The Cow

1-20 Unbelievers and hypocrites reproved
21-38 Exhortation to the worship of the true God
39-102 Jews and Christians urged to accept the claim of Muhammad to be a prophet of God
102-112 The opposition of Jews and Christians to Muhammad’s prophetic pretensions combated
113 The doctrine of abrogation enunciated
115 A Qibla declared to be unnecessary
116-141The Jews denounced and the religion of Abraham declared to be the true Islam
142-153 The Jews finally abandoned and the Arabs accepted by the adoption of Makkah as the Qibla of Islam
154-163 The bereaved friends of those slain at the Battle of Badr comforted
164-172 Makkans exhorted to faith in God, and directed to observe the law respecting forbidden meats
173-176 Law concerning lawful and unlawful food (delivered at Madina)
177 The sum of Muslim duty
178-179 The law of retaliation
180-182 The law concerning bequests
183-185 The law concerning fasting
186-187 The fast of Ramadan
188-202 The pilgrimage to Makkah and war for the faith
203-206 Hypocrites and true believers contrasted
207-208 Exhortation to a hearty acceptance of Islam
209 The doom of infidels pronounced
210-212 The Jews reproached
213 Suffering to be patiently endured
214-242 Sundry laws relating to almsgiving, war, wine, lots, orphans, marriage, women, oaths, and divorce
243-253 The duty of warring in defence of religion enjoined by precept, and illustrated by the history of former prophets
254-257 The Throne Verse
258-260 The doctrine of the resurrection illustrated
261-274 Exhortation and encouragement to almsgiving
275-277 Usury forbidden
278-284 The law concerning contracts and debts
285-286 The prophet’s confession and prayer

Chapter 3: Al Imran – The Family of Imran

1-2 God one and self-existent
3-4 The Quran to be believed
5-6 God omniscient
7 Plain and obscure verses of the Quran
8-9 The prayer of those versed in Quranic mystery
10-12 The punishment of Pharaoh a warning to infidels
13 The victory at the Battle of Badr alluded to
14-18 The faithful, their character and reward
19-20 Islam the true religion
21-25 The punishment of unbelievers eternal
26-27 God omnipotent and sovereign
28-34 Obedience to God enjoined
35-38 The Virgin Mary – her conception – nurtured by Zacharias
39-41 John the Baptist, his birth
42-57 Christ announced to the Virgin – his miracles, apostles etc
58-65 Muhammad’s dispute with the Christians of Najran
66-77 The hypocritical Jews reproached
78-83 Prophets not to be worshipped
84-91 God’s curse on infidels
92 Almsgiving enjoined
93-95 The Jews unlawfully forbid certain meats
96-97 The Kaabah founded
98-105 Muslims are warned against the friendship of Jews etc
106-109 The lot of infidels and believers contrasted
110-112 Muslims safe from the enmity of Jews and Christians
113-115 Certain believing Jews commended for their faith
116-120 Muslims not to make friends of Jews and Christians
121-122 The battle of Uhud alluded to
123-129 Disheartened Muslims encouraged
130-136 Usury forbidden
137-138 The doom of defamers of the apostles
139-144 Islam not dependent on Muhammad for success
145-148 The former prophets are examples of perseverance
149-151 Unbelievers to be avoided
152-154 Certain Muslims disobedient at Uhud
155-157 The hypocrites rebuked
158-159 Muslims slain at Uhud to enter paradise
160-161 Mild treatment of vacillating Muslims
162-165 The spoils of war to be honestly divided
166-169 The faithful sifted by defeat at Uhud
170-172 The joy of the Uhud martyrs in paradise
173-176 Certain Muslims commended for faithfulness
177-180 The fate of unbelievers
181 The miser’s doom
182-190 Scoffing Jews denounced—they charge Muhammad with imposture
191-195 Meditations and prayers of the pious
196-198 God’s answer to the prayers of the pious
199 Certain believing Jews and Christians commended
200 Exhortation to patience and perseverance

Chapter 4: An-Nisa’ – The Women

1 Man and his Creator
2-5 Orphans, the duty of guardians to such
6-13 The law of inheritance
14-15 The punishment of adulteresses
16-17 Repentance enjoined
18-19 Women’s rights
20-27 Forbidden and lawful degrees in marriage
28-30 Gaming, rapine, and suicide forbidden
31-33 Man’s superiority over woman recognised
34 Reconcilement of man and wife
35-36 Parents, orphans, the poor etc to be kindly treated
37-41 Hypocrisy in almsgiving condemned
42 Prayer forbidden to the drunken and polluted
43-45 Jewish mockers denounced
46-53 Idolatry the unpardonable sin
54-55 The rewards of faith and unbelief
56 Trusts to be faithfully paid back
57-68 Disputes to be settled by God and his Apostle
69-74 Precautions, &c., in warring for the faith
75-84 The disobedient and cowardly reproved
85 Salutations to be returned
86-90 Treatment of hypocrites and apostates
91-93 Believers not to be slain or plundered
94-99 Believers in heathen countries to fly to Muslim lands
100-102 Special order for prayer in time of war
103 Exhortation to zeal for Islam
104-114,
133 Fraud denounced
115-125 Idolatry and Islam compared
126 Equity in dealing with women and orphans enjoined
127-129 Wives to be subject to the will of husbands
130-132 God to be feared
134-138 Muslims exhorted to steadfastness
139-143 Hypocrites to be shunned
144-151 The reward of hypocrisy and belief compared
152-154 Presumptuous and disobedient Jews destroyed
155-158 The Jews defame Mary and Jesus
159-160 Certain kinds of food forbidden to Jews as punishment
161-168 Muhammad’s inspiration like that of other prophets
169-174 Christians reproved for their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and in the doctrine of the Trinity
175 The law of inheritance for distant relatives

Chapter 5: Al-Ma’idah – The Table

1 Covenants are to be fulfilled
2 Lawful meats
3 Heathen pilgrims not to be molested
4 Islam completed—last revelation of the Quran
4-5 Certain kinds of food, gaming, and lots forbidden
6 Muslims permitted to eat the food of Jews and Christians, and to marry their women
7 The law of purifications
8 Believers reminded of the covenant of Aqabah
9-11 Muslims should forget old quarrels with brethren
12 God’s favour to Muslims
13-15 Disobedience of Jews and Christians exposed
16-18 Jews and Christians are exhorted to accept Islam
19-20 The divinity of Christ denied
21 Jews and Christians not the children of God
22 Muhammad sent as a warner
23-29 Israel’s rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
30-34 The story of Cain and Abel
35-36 The sin of homicide
37-38 The punishment of theft accompanied by apostasy
39 The faithful exhorted to fight for religion
40-41 The punishment of infidels
42-44 The penalty of theft
45-55 Muhammad to judge the Jews and Christians by the law, gospel, and the Quran
56 Muslims forbidden to fraternise with Jews and Christians
57-58 Hypocrites threatened
59-61 Believers warned and instructed
62-63 Muslims not to associate with infidels
64-65 The Jews exhorted and warned
66-69 The hypocrisy and unbelief of the Jews rebuked
70 Promises to believing Jews and Christians
71 Muhammad required to preach
72 He attests Jewish and Christian Scriptures
73 Believing Jews, Sabeans, and Christians to be saved
74-75 The Jews rejected and killed the prophets of God
76-81 The doctrines of the Trinity and Christ’s Sonship rejected
82-84 Disobedient Jews cursed by their prophets
85-88 Jewish hatred and Christian friendship compared
89-90 Muslims to use lawful food etc
91 Expiation for perjury
92-94 Wine and lots forbidden
95-97 Law concerning hunting and gaming during pilgrimage
98-100 Pilgrimage and its rites enjoined
101-102 The Prophet not to be pestered with questions
102-104 Heathen Arab customs denounced
105-107 Wills to be attested by witnesses
108 The prophets ignorant of the characters of their followers
109-110 Jesus—his miracles—God’s favour to him
111 The apostles of Jesus were Muslims
112-114 A table provided by Jesus for the apostles
115-118 Jesus did not teach his followers to worship him and his mother
119 The reward of the true believer
120 God is sovereign

Chapter 6: Al-An’am – The Cattle

1-3 Praise to the Almighty and Omniscient Creator
4-5 The wilful unbelief of the Makkah infidels
6 They are threatened with the divine judgment
7 The people of Makkah hopelessly unbelieving
8-9 Why angels were not sent to the infidels
10-11 Those who rejected the former prophets were punished
12-18 Why the true God should be served
19 God the witness between Muhammad and the infidels
20 The Jews recognise Muhammad as a prophet
21-23 Idolaters on the judgment-day—their condition
24-29 Scoffing idolaters rebuked and threatened
30-31 The condition of believers and unbelievers after death
32-33 Unbelievers make God a liar
33 God’s word and purposes unchangeable
34 Miracles of no avail to convince infidels
35 God will raise the dead to life
36 Why God did not grant the signs asked by unbelievers
37 Animals and birds to be brought into judgment
38 Infidels are deaf and dumb
39-40 Idolaters will call upon God in their distress
41-44 Adversity and prosperity alike unmeaning to infidels
45 God is the only helper in trouble
46-48 Unbelievers, if impenitent, sure to perish
49 Muhammad unacquainted with the secrets of God
50 There shall be no intercessor on the judgment-day
51-54 The motives of professing Muslims not to be judged
55-57 Muhammad declines the proposals of idolaters
58-61 God the Omniscient and Sovereign Ruler
62-64 God the Almighty Deliverer
65 Muhammad charged with imposture
66 Unbelievers will certainly be punished
67-69 Mockers to be avoided by Muslims
70-71 The punishment of idolaters certain and dreadful
71-74 Muslims commanded to obey God only
75-84 Abraham’s testimony against idolatry
85-91 The prophets who succeeded Abraham
92 The unbelieving Jews (of Madína) rebuked
93 The Quran confirms the former Scriptures
94 The fate of those who forge Scriptures
95 Idolaters deserted by their gods on the judgment-day
96-100 The God of nature the true God
101-103 God has no offspring
104-105 God’s favour in sending the Quran
106-108 The command to retire from Makkah
109 Muhammad not permitted to work miracles
110-113 The people of Makkah given over to unbelief
114 Muhammad the prophet of God
114-117 The direction of Muslims and idolaters contrasted
118-121 Law of permitted and forbidden meats
122 The righteous and unbelievers compared
122-125 Wicked leaders of the people—conduct and punishment
126-127 The blessedness of the faithful
128-130 God’s threatenings against unbelieving men and genii
131 God always warns men before punishing idolatry
132-133 Rewards and punishments shall be according to works
134 The punishment of unbelievers certain
135-136 The idolaters of Makkah rebuked
137-139 Evil customs of the Quraish exposed
140 The idolaters of Makkah threatened
141 The fruit of trees to be eaten
142-144 Controversy between the Quraish and Muhammad concerning forbidden meats referred to
145 The law concerning forbidden meats rehearsed
146 The Jewish law of forbidden meats
147 God will punish those who accuse the prophets of imposture
148-149 The idolaters of Makkah are reprobate
150 Their testimony unworthy of credit
151-153 Forbidden things rehearsed
154-157 The Quran attests the teaching of Moses and Jesus
158 The fate of the wicked on the judgment-day
159 Sectaries reproved
160 The reward of the righteous and wicked compared
161-162 Islam the true religion
163 Muhammad’s self-consecration to God
164-165 The idolaters exhorted to believe in God

Chapter 7: Al-Araf – The Heights

1-2 Muhammad not to doubt the Quran
3 The people exhorted to believe in it
4-5 Many cities destroyed for their unbelief
6-9 Prophets and their hearers on the judgment-day
10 The ingratitude of infidels
11 The creation of Adam
11-12 Satan refuses to worship Adam
13 He is driven from Paradise
14-15 He is respited until the resurrection
16-17 He avows his purpose to beguile man
18-19 God threatens Satan and his victims
20-24 The fall of Adam and Eve
25-26 They are expelled from Paradise
27-29 Indecent customs condemned
30-31 God to be sought in prayer
32-34 True worshippers to be decently clad
35 Every nation has a fixed term of life
36-42 The doom of those who reject the apostles of God
43-45 The blessed reward of true believers
45-46 God’s curse on the infidels
47-50 The veil of Aráf and its inhabitants
51-52 The rejecters of God’s apostles to be forgotten
53-54 A warning against rejecting Muhammad
55-59 The Creator and Lord of the worlds to be served
60-65 Noah rejected by his people—their fate
66-73 Húd rejected by the Ádites—their fate
74-80 Sálih rejected by the Thamúdites—their destruction
81-85 Lot rejected and the Sodomites destroyed
86-94 Shuaib rejected by the Madianites, and their doom
95-96 Unbelievers at Makkah unaffected either by adversity or prosperity
97-101 The dreadful fate of those cities who rejected the apostles of God and charged them with imposture
102-103 They are reprobated
104-105 Moses is sent to Pharaoh and his princes
106-108 The miracles of the serpent and leprous hand
109-115 The magicians of Egypt called
116-120 Contest by miracles between Moses and the magicians
121-123 Several magicians converted to Moses
124-127 Pharaoh’s anger kindled against them
128 Pharaoh and his princes persecute Moses and his people
129-130 Moses exhorts his people to patient trust in God
131-132 Adversity and prosperity alike unavailing to bring Pharaoh to repentance
133-134 The Egyptian unbelievers plagued
135 The hypocrisy of the Egyptians
136 They are destroyed in the Red Sea
137 The people of Moses triumph, and possess the eastern and western land
138-141 The children of Israel become idolatrous
142 Moses makes Aaron his deputy, and fasts forty days
143 He desires to see the glory of God, but repents his rashness
144-145 God gives Moses the law on two tables
146-147 Infidels threatened for calling their prophets impostors
148 The people of Moses worship the golden calf
149 They repent their sin
150 Moses in indignation assaults Aaron
151 He prays for forgiveness for himself and Aaron
152 He calls for vengeance on the idolaters
153 God merciful to believers
154 Moses’s anger is appeased
155 He chooses seventy elders
155-156 Moses prays for deliverance from destruction by lightning
156-159 The Illiterate Prophet foretold by Moses
160 Some Jews rightly directed
161 The Israelites divided into twelve tribes
161 The rock smitten, and manna and quails given
162-163 The command to enter the city saying Hittatun, and the fate of the disobedient
164-167 The Sabbath-breakers changed into apes
168-169 Dispersion of the Jews among the nations
170-171 Some of their successors faithful to the law of Moses
172 God shakes Mount Sinai over the Israelites
173-175 God’s covenant with the children of Adam
176-179 The curse of Balaam a warning to infidels
180 Many genii and men created for hell
181-182 The names of God not to be travestied
183-184 God’s method of leading infidels to destruction
185 Muhammad not possessed of a devil
186 No hope for the reprobate
187 The coming of the “last hour” sudden
188 Muhammad no seer, only a preacher
189-190 Adam and Eve were guilty of idolatry
191-198 The folly of idolatry
199 Muhammad commanded to use moderation
200-201 He is to repel Satan by using the name of God
202 The people of Makkah incorrigible
203 They charge Muhammad with imposture
204-206 The Qurán to be listened to in silence and holy meditation

Chapter 8: Al-Anfal – The Spoils

1 Spoils belong to God and his Apostle
2-4 True believers and their future reward
5-6 Muslims reproved for distrusting their Prophet
7 God gives the Muslims either the Quraish or their caravan
8 The victory of Badr a seal to Islam
9 Angelic aid vouchsafed to Muhammad
10-11 The Muslims refreshed and comforted before the battle
12 The angels enjoined to comfort the faithful by destroying the infidel Quraish
13-14 Infidels are doomed to punishment here and hereafter
15-16 Muslims are never to turn their backs on the infidels on pain of hell-fire
17-18 The victory of Badr a miracle
19 The Quraish are warned against further warfare with the Muslims
20-21 Muslims exhorted to steadfastness in faith
22-23 Infidels compared to deaf and dumb brutes
24 Believers are to submit themselves to God and his Apostle
25-28 They are warned against civil strife, deception, and treachery
29 God’s favour to true believers
30 Plots against Muhammad frustrated by God
31 The infidels liken the Quran to fables
32-33 The Quraish were protected from deserved punishment by Muhammad’s presence among them
34-38 The idolaters of Mecca rebuked and threatened
39 An amnesty offered to the Quraish
40-41 Impenitent idolaters to be extirpated from the earth
42 How the spoils of war are to be divided
43-44 The Muslims were led by God to fight at Badr to attest the truth of Islam
45-46 The Muslims encouraged, and the infidels lured to destruction, by each seeing the other to be few in number
47-48 Believers exhorted to obedience
49 Believers warned against impious vainglory
50 The devil deserts the Quraish at Badr
51-53 The fate of hypocrites
54-56 Their doom like that of Pharaoh and his people
57 The worst of beasts are the infidels
58-60 Treachery to be met with its like
61 God is against the infidels
62 The Muslims excited to war against unbelievers
63 Condition of peace with unbelievers
64 The miracle of Arab union
65-66 God with the Prophet and the Muslims in warring for the faith
68-70 Muslims reproved for accepting ransom for the captives taken at Badr
71 Captive Quraish exhorted to accept Islam, and warned against deception
73-75 The brotherhood of the Ansárs and Muháj Jirín
76 The hereditary rights of blood-relations re-established

Chapter 9: At-Tawbah – The Repentance

1-2 Four months’ immunity proclaimed to idolaters
3-5 After four months, all idolaters to be slain, with exception of those with whom treaties have been made
5-6 Ignorant idolaters to be taught the religion of Islam, after which, if they repent, they are to be spared alive
7 No new league to be made with idolaters
8-10 Idolaters are not to be trusted
11 Penitent idolaters to be regarded as brethren
13-16 Muslims exhorted to fight against the truce-breakers of Makkah
17-18 All but Muslims to be excluded from the sacred temples
19 Abbás rebuked for his vainglory
20-22 The Muhájjirín assigned the first rank among Muslims—their reward
23-24 True believers to refuse friendship with nearest kin if they be infidels
25-27 The victory of Hunain due to God’s help
28 Idolaters excluded from the Kaabah
29 The Jews and Christians as well as idolaters to be attacked
30 Jews and Christians reproved for applying the epithet “Son of God” to Ezra and Jesus
31-32 They also worship their priests and monks
33 Islam superior to all other religions
34-35 Stingy Muslims likened to covetous monks—their punishment
36 Infidels may be attacked in sacred months
37 The sacred months not to be transferred
38-41 Muslims exhorted to go on expedition to Tabúq by reference to God’s help to Muhammad and Abu Baqr in the cave
42 The lukewarm Muslims rebuked for wishing to stay at home
43 Muhammad rebuked for excusing some of these from going
44-46 Willingness to fight for Muhammad, a test of faith
47-50 Seditious Muslims rebuked
51-52 The sure reward of the faithful
53-55 God refuses the offerings of infidels and hypocrites
55 The wealth and prosperity of infidels a sign of their reprobation
56-57 Half-hearted Muslims reproved
58-59 Those who had spread libellous reports regarding Muhammad’s use of alms rebuked
60 How alms should be expended
61-69 Grumblers and hypocrites threatened
70 They are warned by the example of the wicked in former ages
71-73 The faithful described—their rewards
74-75 Hypocrites denounced and threatened
76-79 Prosperity of infidels a prelude to their destruction
80 God shall scoff at the scoffers
81 The defamers of the faithful shall never be forgiven
82-84 Punishment of the “stayers at home”
85 Muhammad forbidden to pray at the grave of unbelievers and hypocrites
86-88 The Prophet not to wonder at the prosperity of the wicked
89-90 Reward of those who assist the Apostle in his wars
91 Hypocritical Arabs of the desert reproved
92-93 Who may lawfully remain at home in time of war
94-97 Other hypocrites reproved
98-99 The Baduín, the worst of hypocrites
100 Some of them true believers
101 The reward of the Ansars and Muhájjirín
102 The desert Arabs and some of the people of Madína reproved
103-106 The penitent confessors in Madína are pardoned
107 Others await God’s decision in their case
108-111 Denunciation against those who built a Masjid in opposition to Muhammad and his faithful ones
112-113 True believers are sold to God
114 Muslims not to pray for idolatrous relatives
115 Why Abraham prayed for his idolatrous parents
116-118 God merciful to the faithful
119 The three recreant Ansars pardoned
120-122 The people of Madína rebuked for want of loyalty to Muhammad
123 Some believers excused from going to war
124 True believers to war against neighbouring infidels and hypocrisy
125-128 Reproof of those who doubt the revelations of God and Muhammad
129-130 The Apostle trusts in the help of God

Chapter 10: Yunus – Jonah

1-2 The Makkans charge their Prophet with sorcery because he is a man from among them
3 The Creator and Ruler of the universe the only true God
4 Believers rewarded at death for good deeds
4 Unbelievers punished after death
5-6 God’s works are signs to all men
7-11 Rewards and punishments of the faithful and the unbelieving
12 God’s purpose in prospering the wicked
13 Men pray to God in affliction, but forget Him with the return of prosperity
14-15 The people of Makkah warned by the example of former generations
16-18 The Quraish desire a different Quran — Muhammad protests his inability to alter it
19 Idolaters trust intercessors who can neither profit nor harm them
20 All men originally professed one religion
21 The people demand of Muhammad a sign
22 When men despise the judgments of God he threatens greater suffering
23-24 Unbelievers remember God in distress by land and sea, but forget Him when delivered
25 Life likened to water which sustains vegetable life
26-28 Paradise for Muslims and hell for the infidels
29-31 Idolaters will be deserted by their gods in the judgment-day
32-37 Idolaters exhorted to worship him whom they recognise as their Creator, Preserver, and Governor
38 The Quran no forgery; it confirms the former Scriptures
39-40 Those who charge Muhammad with imposture challenged to produce a chapter like it
41 Some believe in the Quran, others reject it
42-47 The unbelieving Quraish declared to be reprobate
48 An apostle is sent to every nation
49 Unbelievers mock at the threatenings of their prophet
50 Every nation has its fixed period of existence
51-55 Infidels will believe when their punishment comes upon them
56-57 God is the Author of life and death
58-59 The Quran an admonition and direction to the unbelievers
60-61 Lawful food not to be prohibited
62 Muhammad ever under Divine guidance
63-65 The blessedness of those who believe and fear God
66-68 Unbelievers cannot harm the Prophet
69-71 Those rebuked who say that God hath begotten children
72-75 Muhammad likened to Noah and other prophets
76 Moses and Aaron sent to Pharaoh and his princes
77-82 They are rejected as sorcerers and perverters of the national religion
83 A few of the people only believe on them
84-86 Moses and Aaron with the believers put their trust in God
87 The Israelites commanded to be constant in prayer to God
88-89 Moses’s prayer, that God would destroy the Egyptians, is heard
90 Pharaoh and his people drowned in the sea
90-92 He repents and is raised out of the sea for a sign to the people
93 The Israelites are provided with a habitation and blessing
94-95 Jews and Christians appealed to in confirmation of the statements of the Quran
96-98 No kind of miracle will suffice to make the reprobate believe
99-103 Infidels do not believe on Muhammad because God does not permit them to do so
104-107 The people of Makkah exhorted to accept the true orthodox faith
108 Muhammad not responsible for the faith or unbelief of the people
109 The Prophet exhorted to be patient

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