ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ ۖ مِّنَ ٱلضَّأْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ ٱلْمَعْزِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۗ قُلْ ءَآلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا ٱشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۖ نَبِّـُٔونِى بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 143
Translations
[They are] eight mates - of the sheep, two and of the goats, two. Say, "Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Inform me with knowledge, if you should be truthful."
Transliteration
Thamaniyata azwajin min al-dha'ni ithnayn wa min al-ma'zi ithnayn. Qul al-dhakarayn harrama am al-unthayyayn amma ishtamlat 'alayhi arhamu al-unthayyayn. Nabbiʾuni bi-'ilmin in kuntum sadiqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah enumerates eight pairs of livestock: two from sheep and two from goats, establishing that Allah has created these animals in pairs (male and female). The ayah then challenges the pagan Arabs who arbitrarily forbade certain animals to their idols, asking them to provide evidence for their claim that Allah prohibited the males, the females, or what the females carry in their wombs. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this is a direct refutation of the pre-Islamic Arab practice of 'bahirah' (slitting animals' ears) and other superstitious prohibitions they attributed falsely to divine law.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am's broader refutation of pagan Arab idolatry and their false religious innovations. The Meccan context addresses the specific practice of prohibiting certain livestock to idols without any basis in revelation. This ayah follows the mention of cattle (6:142) and precedes discussion of camels and horses, systematically dismantling their superstitious practices regarding livestock.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain hadiths describing the 'bahirah' (a she-camel whose ears were slit), 'sa'ibah' (a she-camel set free), 'wasilah' (an animal kept for specific purposes), and 'hami' (a stallion kept for breeding) - all pre-Islamic superstitious practices regarding livestock that this ayah condemns.
Themes
Key Lesson
The ayah teaches believers to reject any religious practice—whether regarding dietary restrictions or worship—that lacks clear evidence from Allah's revelation, and to demand rational proof from those who make religious claims. Modern readers should apply this principle to distinguish between authentic Islamic teachings and cultural innovations disguised as religion.
Related Ayahs
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
وَلَا تَسُبُّوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَدْوًۢا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allāh, lest they insult Allāh in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them about what they used to do.
أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ نُورًا يَمْشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom? Thus it has been made pleasing to the disbelievers that which they were doing.
وَمَا نُرْسِلُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ ۖ فَمَنْ ءَامَنَ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. So whoever believes and reforms - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.