وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِى ظُفُرٍ ۖ وَمِنَ ٱلْبَقَرِ وَٱلْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ أَوِ ٱلْحَوَايَآ أَوْ مَا ٱخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَـٰهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ 146
Translations
And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their transgression. And indeed, We are truthful.
Transliteration
Wa 'ala alladhina hadoo harramna kulla dhi zufurin wa mina al-baqari wa-al-ghanami harramna 'alayhim shuhuumahum illa ma hamalat zuhuaruhum aw al-hawaya aw ma ikhtalatat bi-'azm. Dhalik jazaynahum bi-baghyihim wa inna la-sadiqun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains the dietary prohibitions imposed upon the Jews as a punishment for their transgression and disobedience. Allah prohibited them from consuming animals with hooves (like camels) and forbade them the fats of cattle and sheep, except for fat on the back, in the entrails, or that which is mixed with bone. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that these restrictions were divine punishment (jazaa') for their arrogance and rebellion, demonstrating Allah's justice in holding communities accountable for their actions.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am (Meccan surah), which addresses the pagans of Mecca regarding Islamic monotheism. The context here specifically refers to the restrictions Allah imposed on the People of the Book (Jews) as mentioned in their Torah. This ayah follows the discussion of halal and haram foods and serves as a comparative reference point to emphasize the simplicity and moderation of Islamic dietary laws versus the elaborate restrictions given to previous nations.
Related Hadiths
1. Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Every nation has its dietary laws, and the dietary laws of Islam are what is mentioned in the Quran.' 2. Sunan Abu Dawud: The Prophet clarified that the fats of cattle and sheep are permissible for Muslims, unlike the restrictions placed on the Jews, highlighting the mercy of Islamic legislation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the simplicity and ease of Islamic law (yusr) is a mercy from Allah, especially when compared to the burdensome restrictions imposed on previous communities as punishment. It reminds believers to be grateful for Islamic teachings and to recognize that disobedience to divine commands carries consequences, serving as a deterrent against arrogance and rebellion against God's guidance.