Embedded Files
5. Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) is the 5th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 120 verses. Belonging entirely to the late Madani period, it stands as one of the final major chapters revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It functions structurally as a legal climax to the Quran, cementing final dietary, civil, contractual, and ritual laws for a completely sovereign Muslim civilization.
Proceed to Tafsir Bin Kathir - Surah Al-Ma'idah
"Hadr" Recitation of the Entire Surah
Page 106
Page 106
4:176, 5:1
Page 107
Page 107
5:3
Page 108
Page 108
5:6
Page 109
Page 109
5:10
Page 110
Page 110
5:14
Page 111
Page 111
5:18
Page 112
Page 112
5:24
Page 113
Page 113
5:32
Page 114
Page 114
5:37
Page 115
Page 115
5:42
Page 116
Page 116
5:46
Page 117
Page 117
5:51
Page 118
Page 118
5:58
Page 119
Page 119
5:65
Page 120
Page 120
5:71
Page 121
Page 121
5:77
Page 122
Page 122
5:83
Page 123
Page 123
5:90
Page 124
Page 124
5:96
Page 125
Page 125
5:104
Page 126
Page 126
5:109
Page 127
Page 127
5:114
Surah Background Information
Surah Background Information
Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) is the 5th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 120 verses. Belonging entirely to the late Madani period, it stands as one of the final major chapters revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It functions structurally as a legal climax to the Quran, cementing final dietary, civil, contractual, and ritual laws for a completely sovereign Muslim civilization.
Historical Context & Chronology
Historical Context & Chronology
According to classical consensus recorded by historians like Ibn Hisham and exegests like Al-Wahidi, Al-Ma'idah was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), continuing through the Conquest of Mecca up to the Farewell Pilgrimage (10 AH), mere months before the Prophet's death.
Because it represents the final legislative phase, companions like Aisha and Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas noted that Al-Ma'idah contains no abrogated (mansukh) rulings; rather, its legal dictates are definitive and binding until the end of time (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).
Primary Thematic Pillars
Primary Thematic Pillars
1. Fulfilling Covenants and Administrative Law
1. Fulfilling Covenants and Administrative Law
The Surah opens with a blanket legal mandate: "O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts." (Quran 5:1). It outlines international treaty laws, rules for safe passage during the Hajj pilgrimage, and administrative justice, demanding that animosity toward a rival nation must never cause a Muslim state to swerve from absolute equity:
"And do not let the hatred of a people lead you to be unjust. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness." (Quran 5:8)
2. Dietary, Ritual, and Criminal Rulings
2. Dietary, Ritual, and Criminal Rulings
Al-Ma'idah serves as a legal anchor, finalizing a wide sweep of societal codes:
Dietary Jurisprudence: Explicitly cataloging forbidden items (carrion, blood, swine, and meat sacrificed to idols) while clarifying that the food of the People of the Book is lawful (Halal) for Muslims (Verse 5).
Civil Boundaries: Outlining the specific penalties for theft, highway robbery (Hirabah), and the strict, total prohibition of alcohol and gambling (Maysir), calling them "defilement from the work of Satan" (Verses 90–91).
Ritual Purification: Formally standardizing the method of Wudu (ablution), Ghusl (full-body washing), and Tayammum (dry purification with clean earth) before prayer (Verse 6).
3. Theological Accountability & The Miraculous Table
3. Theological Accountability & The Miraculous Table
The title of the Surah is drawn from its concluding section (Verses 112–115), which describes the disciples of Jesus requesting a divine sign in the form of a table spread with food (Al-Ma'idah) from heaven.
The Surah uses this miracle to pivot into an intense theological dialogue. In Verses 116–117, God questions Jesus on the Day of Judgment regarding whether he told mankind to worship him and his mother as gods. Jesus passionately denies this, declaring that he only ever commanded them to worship God alone, framing a stark contrast against later ecclesiastical developments.
Pivotal Verses of Universal Renown
Pivotal Verses of Universal Renown
The Completion of Islam (Verse 3): "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." According to Sahih al-Bukhari, a Jewish scholar remarked to the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab that if this verse had been revealed to his people, they would have celebrated that day as a perpetual national holiday. It marks the formal completion of Islamic creedal revelation during the Sermon at Arafat.
The Sanctity of Human Life (Verse 32): "...We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." This legal maxim stands as one of the most powerful scriptural statements on human rights, linking the preservation of an individual life to the preservation of the collective species.
Referenced Academic & Classical Sources
Referenced Academic & Classical Sources
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Tafsir, Hadith narrations on Verse 3).
Ibn Kathir, Isma'il ibn Umar. Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim (Analysis of historical covenants and the Najran context links).
Maududi, Sayyid Abul Ala. Tafhim al-Qur'an (Socio-political background on late Madani state treaties).
Al-Wahidi, Ali ibn Ahmad. Asbab al-Nuzul (Classical tracking of situational legal revelations).
The Study Quran (Nasr et al.). Cross-faith textual analysis regarding the description of Christian theology and food permissions.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse