Page 358 - An Index to the Qur'an

mals which wild beasts have eaten–except those who debar you from the Sacred Mosque (Masjid
you are able to slaughter properly–and animals al-Haram) incite you into going beyond the limits.
which have been sacrificed on altars, and decid- Help each other to goodness and heedfulness. Do
ing things by means of divining arrows–that is not help each other to wrongdoing and enmity.
deviance. Today those who disbelieve have de- Have fear of Allah. Allah is severe in retribution.
spaired of overcoming your religion. So do not (5:2)
be afraid of them but be afraid of Me. Today I They will ask you what is lawful for them. Say: ‘All
have perfected your religion for you and com- good things are lawful for you, and also what is
pleted My blessing upon you and I am pleased caught for you by hunting animals which you
with Islam as a religion for you. But if anyone is have trained as Allah has taught you. Eat what
forced by hunger, not intending any wrongdoing, they catch for you, mentioning Allah’s name over
Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (5:3) it.’And have fear of Allah. Allah is swift at reckon-
It was not for people of Madina, and the desert ing. (5:4)
arabs around them, to remain behind the You who believe! Allah will test you with game
Messenger of Allah nor to prefer themselves to animals which come within the reach of your
him. That is because no thirst or weariness or hands and spears, so that Allah will know those
hunger will afflict them in the Way of Allah, nor who fear Him in the Unseen. Anyone who over-
will they take a single step to infuriate the disbe- steps the limits after this will have a painful pun-
lievers, nor secure any gain from the enemy, ishment. You who believe! Do not kill game while
without a right action being written down for you are in the state of pilgrimage. If one of you
them because of it. Allah does not let the wage of kills any deliberately, the reprisal for it is a live-
the good-doers go to waste. (9:120) stock animal equivalent to what he killed, as
Allah makes an example of a city which was safe judged by two just men among you, a sacrifice to
and at peace, its provision coming to it plenti- reach the Kaaba, or expiation by feeding the poor,
fully from every side. Then it showed ingratitude or fasting commensurate with that, so that he may
for Allah’s blessings so Allah made it wear the taste the evil consequences of what he did. Allah
robes of hunger and fear for what it did. (16:112) has pardoned all that took place in the past; but if
What will convey to you what the steep ascent anyone does it again Allah will take revenge on
is? It is freeing a slave or feeding on a day of him. Allah is Almighty, Exactor of Revenge.
hunger an orphaned relative or a poor man in the Anything you catch in the sea is lawful for you,
dust. (90:12-16) and all food from it, for your enjoyment and that of
So let them worship the Lord of this House Who travellers, but land game is forbidden for you
has preserved them from hunger and secured while you are in the state of pilgrimage. So have
them from fear. (106: 3-4) fear of Allah, Him to whom you will be gathered.
(5:94-96)
HUNTING
You who believe! Fulfil your contracts. All live- HUSBAND
stock animals are lawful for you, except those that Divorced women should wait by themselves for
are recited to you now; but it is still not lawful to three menstrual cycles; and it is not lawful for
hunt while you are in the state of pilgrimage. Allah them to conceal what Allah has created in their
makes whatever judgements He wills. (5:1) wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day.
You who believe! Do not profane the sacred rites Their husbands have the right to take them back
of Allah or the sacred months, or the sacrificial an- within that time, if they desire to be reconciled.
imals, or the ritual garlands, or those heading for Women possess rights similar to those held over
the Sacred House, desiring profit and good pleas- them to be honoured with fairness; but men have
ure from their Lord. When your pilgrimage is over, a degree above them. Allah is Almighty, All-
then you may hunt. Do not let hatred for a people Wise. (2:228)
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