حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَٱلْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَٱلْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا۟ بِٱلْأَزْلَـٰمِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ ۗ ٱلْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَٱخْشَوْنِ ۚ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًا ۚ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ فِى مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ ۙ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 3
Translations
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
Transliteration
Hurrimat 'alaikum al-maytatu wa-al-damu wa-lahm al-khinzir wa-ma uhilla lighayr Allah bihi wa-al-munkhaniqa wa-al-mawquutha wa-al-mutaraddiya wa-al-natiha wa-ma akala al-sabu illa ma dhakkaitum wa-ma dhubiha 'ala al-nusub wa-an tastaqsimuu bi-al-azlam dhalikum fisq al-yawm yasa al-ladhina kafaruu min dainikum fa-la takhshawhu wa-akhshaw: al-yawm akmaltu lakum dinakum wa-atammatu 'alaikum ni'mati wa-radutu lakum al-islam dinaa fa-man iduturra fi makhmasa ghayru mutajanif li-ithm fa-inna Allah ghafur raheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah enumerates the categories of forbidden (haram) foods and practices in Islam, including carrion, blood, pork, and animals slaughtered in ways contrary to Islamic law. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize that these prohibitions are part of the refined ethical and spiritual teachings of Islam, with exceptions made only in cases of dire necessity (darurah). The ayah concludes with the momentous declaration that on this day (the occasion of the farewell pilgrimage), Allah has completed the religion and perfected His blessings—a verse recited by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab at the moment of his death, signifying the completeness of Islamic legislation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ma'idah is one of the last surahs revealed, with 5:3 revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage of the Prophet Muhammad (632 CE), marking the completion of Islamic law and guidance. This ayah addresses the Muslim community directly as a unified ummah, establishing clear dietary laws and ethical boundaries that distinguish Islamic practice from pre-Islamic customs and the practices of other faith communities.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 5190: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Every religion has a character, and the character of Islam is modesty.' This relates to the ethical framework underlying these prohibitions. Also, Sunan Ibn Majah: The Prophet prohibited the consumption of any animal not slaughtered according to Islamic method, emphasizing humane treatment of animals.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Islamic dietary laws and ethical boundaries are not arbitrary restrictions but expressions of divine wisdom that protect both physical health and spiritual purity. In times of necessity, Allah's mercy provides exceptions, reminding us that the spirit of Islamic law is rooted in compassion and practicality, not rigid severity.