۞ كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلًّا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ ۗ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ فَٱتْلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 93
Translations
All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel [i.e., Jacob] had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muḥammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful."
Transliteration
Kullut-ta'amu kana hillal-li-bani Isra'ila illa ma harrama Isra'ilu 'ala nafsih min qabli an tunazzalat-Tawrahu. Qul fa'tu bi-Tawrah fatluh in kuntum sadiqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Jewish claim that certain foods were forbidden to them from ancient times, establishing that all food was lawful (halal) for Bani Isra'il except what they themselves made unlawful before the revelation of the Torah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is commanded to challenge them to produce the Torah if they truly speak the truth, as the Qur'an contests their assertions about dietary restrictions not explicitly mentioned in the Torah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this ayah refutes Jewish dietary claims that lacked scriptural basis and affirms the principle that permissibility is the default state of things.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah in response to disputes with the Jews about dietary laws and their claims regarding prohibited foods. It appears in the broader context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the People of the Book and their disputes with Muslims, particularly addressing their false claims about religious requirements.
Related Hadiths
Related to the principle of the default permissibility of things, the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him): 'Halal is clear and haram is clear, and between them are matters that are unclear' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, classified as Sahih). This supports the ayah's assertion that the burden of proof lies with those claiming restriction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that unfounded religious restrictions without clear scriptural evidence should be questioned, and reminds Muslims to verify claims about religious law against authentic sources rather than accepting traditions based solely on inherited practice.