Sura 5 The Table (Al-Ma'edah)

In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.

[5:1] O you who believe, honour the contracts. Livestock animals have been made lawful to you, except what is recited to you. You are not permitted hunting while you are hurum. God decrees what He wills.

Footnote 5:1 - For the word 'hurum', see the glossary of un-translated words.

[5:2] O you who believe, do not violate God's rites, nor the Haram Month, nor the offerings, nor the garlands, nor the free safe passage of those who visit the Haram House seeking favour from their Lord and consent. When you have come out of ihram, you may hunt. Do not let your animosity against some people who once repelled you from the Masjid Al-Haram lead you to transgress. Cooperate in matters of piety and reverence, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression, and reverence God. Indeed, God is severe in punishment.

[5:3] Prohibited for you are the carrion, blood, the flesh of the pig and what has been dedicated to other than God. Also, that which has been strangled, struck with an object, fallen from a height, gored, eaten by a wild animal, except what you manage to render lawful before it dies, and also what is slaughtered on altars. Also prohibited is what you divide through arrows of chance; this is vileness. Today, the disbelievers have given up on your religion, so do not fear them, but fear Me. Today, I have completed your religion for you, perfected My blessing upon you and approved Submission as the religion for you. If one is compelled through severe hunger and without being deliberately sinful, then indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.

Footnote 5:3 - The words 'except what you manage to render lawful before it dies' speak of animals found in between life and death. They can still be made lawful if they are killed and not found already dead. By doing so, such animals would not be classified as carrion (found already dead), and thus would not be unlawful to eat.

[5:4] They ask you what has been made lawful for them, say, "Lawful for you are all good things, including what the trained birds of prey and dogs catch for you." You teach them from what God has taught you. So eat what they catch for you, and mention God's name upon it, and reverence God. Indeed, God is swift in reckoning.

[5:5] Today, the good things have been made lawful for you, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. Also, lawful for you are the chaste women among the believers, as well as the chaste women among those who were given the Scripture before you, provided you pay them their due dowries and take them in marriage and not for illicit sex, nor as secret lovers. Whoever rejects the faith, his work will be nullified, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.

[5:6] O you who believe, when you get up to observe the Salat, wash your faces and your arms to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles. If you had sexual intercourse, then purify yourselves. If you are ill or travelling, or if any of you have come from the toilet or had sexual contact with women and you could not find water, then wipe your faces and hands with clean dry earth. God does not wish to place any hardship on you, but He wishes to purify you and to perfect His blessing upon you, so that you may be appreciative.

[5:7] Remember God's blessing upon you and His covenant with which He has bound you when you said, "We hear and we obey," and reverence God. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable of what the chests hold.

[5:8] O you who believe, stand firm for God and be equitable when you serve as witnesses. Do not let your animosity towards some people prevent you from being equitable. You shall be equitable, for it is nearest to reverence. You shall reverence God. Indeed, God is All-Aware of what you do.

[5:9] God promises those who believe and do good deeds that they will have forgiveness and a great reward,

[5:10] and those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, they are the companions of Hellfire.

[5:11] O you who believe, remember God's blessings upon you. When some people intended to extend their hands against you, He withheld their hands from you. Reverence God, and in God the believers should trust.

[5:12] God has taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We raised from among them twelve chieftains, and God said, "I am with you, so long as you observe the Salat, give the Zakat, believe in My messengers and support them, and lend God a good loan; I will then wipe out your bad deeds and admit you into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Anyone among you who disbelieves after that has strayed off the right path."