5. Al-Maaida

O you who believe! Khamr, Maysir, Ansab, and Azlam are a Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful (90)Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr and Maysir, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstai (91)And obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and beware. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger's duty to convey in the clearest way (92)Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they have Taqwa and believe and do righteous good deeds, and they (again) have Taqwa and believe, and then (once again) have Taqwa and perform good. And Allah loves the good-doers (93)

Prohibiting Khamr (Intoxicants) and Maysir (Gambling)

Allah forbids His believing servants from consuming Khamr and Maysir which is gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib, the Leader of the Faithful, said that chess is a type of gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ata', Mujahid and Tawus, or , two of them, said that every type of gambling, including children's playing with (a certain type of) nuts, is Maysir. Ibn 'Umar said that Al-Maysir means gambling, and this is the same statement that Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas, who added, "They used to gamble during the time of Jahiliyyah, until Islam came. Allah then forbade them from this evil behavior."

Meaning of Ansab and Azlam

Al-Ansab were altar stones, in whose vicinity sacrifices were offered (during the time of Jahiliyyah), according to Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, 'Ata', Sa'id bin Jubayr and Al-Hasan. They also said that Al-Azlam were arrows that they used for lotteries to make decisions, as Ibn Abi Hatim narrated. Allah said,

رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ

(A Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork) meaning, abomination of Shaytan's handiwork, according to 'Ali bin Abi Talhah who reported it from Ibn 'Abbas. Sa'id bin Jubayr said that Rijs means 'sin' while Zayd bin Aslam said; "An evil handiwork of Shaytan."

فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

(So avoid that) avoid all of these abominations,

لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(in order that you may be successful.) and this is a statement of encouragement. Allah said next,

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ

(Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr (intoxicants) and Maysir (gambling), and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain) This is a threat and a warning.

Hadiths that Prohibit Khamr (Intoxicants)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "There were three stages to prohibiting Khamr (intoxicants). When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, the people were consuming alcohol and gambling, so they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about these things, Allah revealed,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ

(They ask you about alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and …

O you who believe! Khamr, Maysir, Ansab, and Azlam are a Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful (90)Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr and Maysir, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstai (91)And obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and beware. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger's duty to convey in the clearest way (92)Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they have Taqwa and believe and do righteous good deeds, and they (again) have Taqwa and believe, and then (once again) have Taqwa and perform good. And Allah loves the good-doers (93)

Prohibiting Khamr (Intoxicants) and Maysir (Gambling)

Allah forbids His believing servants from consuming Khamr and Maysir which is gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib, the Leader of the Faithful, said that chess is a type of gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ata', Mujahid and Tawus, or , two of them, said that every type of gambling, including children's playing with (a certain type of) nuts, is Maysir. Ibn 'Umar said that Al-Maysir means gambling, and this is the same statement that Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas, who added, "They used to gamble during the time of Jahiliyyah, until Islam came. Allah then forbade them from this evil behavior."

Meaning of Ansab and Azlam

Al-Ansab were altar stones, in whose vicinity sacrifices were offered (during the time of Jahiliyyah), according to Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, 'Ata', Sa'id bin Jubayr and Al-Hasan. They also said that Al-Azlam were arrows that they used for lotteries to make decisions, as Ibn Abi Hatim narrated. Allah said,

رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ

(A Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork) meaning, abomination of Shaytan's handiwork, according to 'Ali bin Abi Talhah who reported it from Ibn 'Abbas. Sa'id bin Jubayr said that Rijs means 'sin' while Zayd bin Aslam said; "An evil handiwork of Shaytan."

فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

(So avoid that) avoid all of these abominations,

لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(in order that you may be successful.) and this is a statement of encouragement. Allah said next,

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ

(Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr (intoxicants) and Maysir (gambling), and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain) This is a threat and a warning.

Hadiths that Prohibit Khamr (Intoxicants)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "There were three stages to prohibiting Khamr (intoxicants). When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, the people were consuming alcohol and gambling, so they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about these things, Allah revealed,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ

(They ask you about alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and …

O you who believe! Khamr, Maysir, Ansab, and Azlam are a Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you may be successful (90)Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr and Maysir, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstai (91)And obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and beware. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger's duty to convey in the clearest way (92)Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what they ate, if they have Taqwa and believe and do righteous good deeds, and they (again) have Taqwa and believe, and then (once again) have Taqwa and perform good. And Allah loves the good-doers (93)

Prohibiting Khamr (Intoxicants) and Maysir (Gambling)

Allah forbids His believing servants from consuming Khamr and Maysir which is gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib, the Leader of the Faithful, said that chess is a type of gambling. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that 'Ata', Mujahid and Tawus, or , two of them, said that every type of gambling, including children's playing with (a certain type of) nuts, is Maysir. Ibn 'Umar said that Al-Maysir means gambling, and this is the same statement that Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn 'Abbas, who added, "They used to gamble during the time of Jahiliyyah, until Islam came. Allah then forbade them from this evil behavior."

Meaning of Ansab and Azlam

Al-Ansab were altar stones, in whose vicinity sacrifices were offered (during the time of Jahiliyyah), according to Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, 'Ata', Sa'id bin Jubayr and Al-Hasan. They also said that Al-Azlam were arrows that they used for lotteries to make decisions, as Ibn Abi Hatim narrated. Allah said,

رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ

(A Rijs of Shaytan's handiwork) meaning, abomination of Shaytan's handiwork, according to 'Ali bin Abi Talhah who reported it from Ibn 'Abbas. Sa'id bin Jubayr said that Rijs means 'sin' while Zayd bin Aslam said; "An evil handiwork of Shaytan."

فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

(So avoid that) avoid all of these abominations,

لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(in order that you may be successful.) and this is a statement of encouragement. Allah said next,

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ

(Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with Khamr (intoxicants) and Maysir (gambling), and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from the Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain) This is a threat and a warning.

Hadiths that Prohibit Khamr (Intoxicants)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "There were three stages to prohibiting Khamr (intoxicants). When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated to Al-Madinah, the people were consuming alcohol and gambling, so they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about these things, Allah revealed,

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ

(They ask you about alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and …

O you who believe! Allah will certainly make a trial for you with something in the game that is well within reach of your hands and your lances, that Allah may test who fears Him in the unseen. Then whoever transgresses thereafter, for him there is a painful torment (94)O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram, and whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Ka'bah, of livestock equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed the poor, or its equivalent in fasting, that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is Almighty, All-Able of Retribution (95)

Prohibiting Hunting Game in the Sacred Area and During the State of Ihram

Ali bin Abi Talhah] Al-Walibi said that Ibn 'Abbas said that Allah's statement,

لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الصَّيْدِ تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَرِمَاحُكُمْ

(Allah will certainly make a trial for you with something in (the matter of) the game that is well within reach of your hands and your lances,)[5:94], refers to, "The weak and young game. Allah tests His servants with such game during their Ihram, that if they wish, they would be able to catch it with their hands. Allah has commanded them to avoid catching it." Mujahid said that,

تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ

(well within reach of your hands) refers to the young game and chicks, while

وَرِمَاحُكُمْ

(and your lances,) refers to mature game. Muqatil bin Hayyan said that this Ayah was revealed during the 'Umrah of Al-Hudaybiyyah, when wild game and birds were coming to the Muslim camping area, which they had never seen the likes of before. Allah prohibited them from hunting the game while in the state of Ihram,

لِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَخَافُهُ بِالْغَيْبِ

(that Allah may test who fears Him in the unseen.)

Therefore, Allah tests His servants with the game that comes near their camping area, for if they wish, they can catch it with their hands and spears in public and secret. This is how the obedience of those who obey Allah in public and secret becomes apparent and tested. In another Ayah, Allah said;

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

(Verily! Those who fear their Lord in the unseen, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).)[67:12] Allah said next,

فَمَنِ اعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ

(Then whoever transgresses thereafter.) after this warning and threat, according to As-Suddi, then,

فَلَهُ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

(for him there is a painful torment.) for his defiance of Allah's command and what He has decreed. Allah said next,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْتُلُوا الصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ

(O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram,)

This Ayah prohibits killing the game in the state of Ihram, except what is exempt from this as mentioned in the Two Sahihs; 'A'ishah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

خَمْسٌ فَوَاسِقُ يُقْتَلْنَ فِي الْحِلِّ وَالْحَرَمِ: الْغُرَابُ، وَالْحِدَأَةُ، وَالْعَقْرَبُ، …

O you who believe! Allah will certainly make a trial for you with something in the game that is well within reach of your hands and your lances, that Allah may test who fears Him in the unseen. Then whoever transgresses thereafter, for him there is a painful torment (94)O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram, and whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the Ka'bah, of livestock equivalent to the one he killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed the poor, or its equivalent in fasting, that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is Almighty, All-Able of Retribution (95)

Prohibiting Hunting Game in the Sacred Area and During the State of Ihram

Ali bin Abi Talhah] Al-Walibi said that Ibn 'Abbas said that Allah's statement,

لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الصَّيْدِ تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَرِمَاحُكُمْ

(Allah will certainly make a trial for you with something in (the matter of) the game that is well within reach of your hands and your lances,)[5:94], refers to, "The weak and young game. Allah tests His servants with such game during their Ihram, that if they wish, they would be able to catch it with their hands. Allah has commanded them to avoid catching it." Mujahid said that,

تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ

(well within reach of your hands) refers to the young game and chicks, while

وَرِمَاحُكُمْ

(and your lances,) refers to mature game. Muqatil bin Hayyan said that this Ayah was revealed during the 'Umrah of Al-Hudaybiyyah, when wild game and birds were coming to the Muslim camping area, which they had never seen the likes of before. Allah prohibited them from hunting the game while in the state of Ihram,

لِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَخَافُهُ بِالْغَيْبِ

(that Allah may test who fears Him in the unseen.)

Therefore, Allah tests His servants with the game that comes near their camping area, for if they wish, they can catch it with their hands and spears in public and secret. This is how the obedience of those who obey Allah in public and secret becomes apparent and tested. In another Ayah, Allah said;

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

(Verily! Those who fear their Lord in the unseen, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).)[67:12] Allah said next,

فَمَنِ اعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ

(Then whoever transgresses thereafter.) after this warning and threat, according to As-Suddi, then,

فَلَهُ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

(for him there is a painful torment.) for his defiance of Allah's command and what He has decreed. Allah said next,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْتُلُوا الصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ

(O you who believe! Kill not game while you are in a state of Ihram,)

This Ayah prohibits killing the game in the state of Ihram, except what is exempt from this as mentioned in the Two Sahihs; 'A'ishah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

خَمْسٌ فَوَاسِقُ يُقْتَلْنَ فِي الْحِلِّ وَالْحَرَمِ: الْغُرَابُ، وَالْحِدَأَةُ، وَالْعَقْرَبُ، …

Lawful to you is water game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land game as long as you are in a state of Ihram. And have Taqwa of Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back (96)Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded, that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything (97)Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (98)The Messenger's duty is but to convey. And Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal (99)

Water Game is Allowed for the Muhrim

Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib, Sa'id bin Jubayr and others commented on Allah's statement;

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ

(Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water game...) that it means, what one eats fresh from it, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(And its use for food) what is eaten dry and salted. Ibn 'Abbas said that 'water game' refers to what is taken from water while still alive, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(and its use for food) refers to what the water throws ashore dead. Similar statements were reported from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Zayd bin Thabit, 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, 'Ikrimah, Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman, Ibrahim An-Nakha'i and Al-Hasan Al-Basri. Allah's statement,

مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel,) as food and provision for you,

وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(and those who travel,) those who are in the sea and traveling along the sea, according to 'Ikrimah. Other scholars said that water game is allowed for those who fish it from the sea, as well as, when it is salted and used as food for travelers inland. A similar statement was reported from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid and As-Suddi and others. Imam Malik bin Anas recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent an army towards the east coast and appointed Abu 'Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah as their commander, and the army consisted of three hundred men, including myself. We marched on until we reached a place where our food was about to finish. Abu 'Ubaydah ordered us to collect all the food for our journey, and it was collected in two bags of dates. Abu 'Ubaydah kept on giving us our daily ration in small amounts from it, until it was exhausted. The share of each of us used to be one date only." I (one of the narrators from Jabir) said, "How could one date suffice for you?" Jabir replied, "We came to know its value when even that finished." Jabir added, "When we reached the seashore, we saw a huge fish which was like a small mountain. The army ate from it for eighteen days. Then Abu 'Ubaydah ordered that two of its ribs be affixed in the ground. Then he ordered that a she-camel be ridden, and it passed under the two ribs (forming an arch) without touching them." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs.

Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "A man asked Allah's Messenger, 'O Allah's Messenger! We go to sea and carry little water …

Lawful to you is water game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land game as long as you are in a state of Ihram. And have Taqwa of Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back (96)Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded, that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything (97)Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (98)The Messenger's duty is but to convey. And Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal (99)

Water Game is Allowed for the Muhrim

Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib, Sa'id bin Jubayr and others commented on Allah's statement;

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ

(Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water game...) that it means, what one eats fresh from it, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(And its use for food) what is eaten dry and salted. Ibn 'Abbas said that 'water game' refers to what is taken from water while still alive, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(and its use for food) refers to what the water throws ashore dead. Similar statements were reported from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Zayd bin Thabit, 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, 'Ikrimah, Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman, Ibrahim An-Nakha'i and Al-Hasan Al-Basri. Allah's statement,

مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel,) as food and provision for you,

وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(and those who travel,) those who are in the sea and traveling along the sea, according to 'Ikrimah. Other scholars said that water game is allowed for those who fish it from the sea, as well as, when it is salted and used as food for travelers inland. A similar statement was reported from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid and As-Suddi and others. Imam Malik bin Anas recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent an army towards the east coast and appointed Abu 'Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah as their commander, and the army consisted of three hundred men, including myself. We marched on until we reached a place where our food was about to finish. Abu 'Ubaydah ordered us to collect all the food for our journey, and it was collected in two bags of dates. Abu 'Ubaydah kept on giving us our daily ration in small amounts from it, until it was exhausted. The share of each of us used to be one date only." I (one of the narrators from Jabir) said, "How could one date suffice for you?" Jabir replied, "We came to know its value when even that finished." Jabir added, "When we reached the seashore, we saw a huge fish which was like a small mountain. The army ate from it for eighteen days. Then Abu 'Ubaydah ordered that two of its ribs be affixed in the ground. Then he ordered that a she-camel be ridden, and it passed under the two ribs (forming an arch) without touching them." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs.

Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "A man asked Allah's Messenger, 'O Allah's Messenger! We go to sea and carry little water …

Lawful to you is water game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land game as long as you are in a state of Ihram. And have Taqwa of Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back (96)Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded, that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything (97)Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (98)The Messenger's duty is but to convey. And Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal (99)

Water Game is Allowed for the Muhrim

Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib, Sa'id bin Jubayr and others commented on Allah's statement;

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ

(Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water game...) that it means, what one eats fresh from it, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(And its use for food) what is eaten dry and salted. Ibn 'Abbas said that 'water game' refers to what is taken from water while still alive, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(and its use for food) refers to what the water throws ashore dead. Similar statements were reported from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Zayd bin Thabit, 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, 'Ikrimah, Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman, Ibrahim An-Nakha'i and Al-Hasan Al-Basri. Allah's statement,

مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel,) as food and provision for you,

وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(and those who travel,) those who are in the sea and traveling along the sea, according to 'Ikrimah. Other scholars said that water game is allowed for those who fish it from the sea, as well as, when it is salted and used as food for travelers inland. A similar statement was reported from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid and As-Suddi and others. Imam Malik bin Anas recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent an army towards the east coast and appointed Abu 'Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah as their commander, and the army consisted of three hundred men, including myself. We marched on until we reached a place where our food was about to finish. Abu 'Ubaydah ordered us to collect all the food for our journey, and it was collected in two bags of dates. Abu 'Ubaydah kept on giving us our daily ration in small amounts from it, until it was exhausted. The share of each of us used to be one date only." I (one of the narrators from Jabir) said, "How could one date suffice for you?" Jabir replied, "We came to know its value when even that finished." Jabir added, "When we reached the seashore, we saw a huge fish which was like a small mountain. The army ate from it for eighteen days. Then Abu 'Ubaydah ordered that two of its ribs be affixed in the ground. Then he ordered that a she-camel be ridden, and it passed under the two ribs (forming an arch) without touching them." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs.

Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "A man asked Allah's Messenger, 'O Allah's Messenger! We go to sea and carry little water …

Lawful to you is water game and its use for food – for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is (the pursuit of) land game as long as you are in a state of Ihram. And have Taqwa of Allah to Whom you shall be gathered back (96)Allah has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and benefits for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded, that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything (97)Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (98)The Messenger's duty is but to convey. And Allah knows all that you reveal and all that you conceal (99)

Water Game is Allowed for the Muhrim

Sa'id bin Al-Musayyib, Sa'id bin Jubayr and others commented on Allah's statement;

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ

(Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water game...) that it means, what one eats fresh from it, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(And its use for food) what is eaten dry and salted. Ibn 'Abbas said that 'water game' refers to what is taken from water while still alive, while,

وَطَعَامُهُ

(and its use for food) refers to what the water throws ashore dead. Similar statements were reported from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Zayd bin Thabit, 'Abdullah bin 'Amr, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, 'Ikrimah, Abu Salamah bin 'Abdur-Rahman, Ibrahim An-Nakha'i and Al-Hasan Al-Basri. Allah's statement,

مَتَاعًا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(for the benefit of yourselves and those who travel,) as food and provision for you,

وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ

(and those who travel,) those who are in the sea and traveling along the sea, according to 'Ikrimah. Other scholars said that water game is allowed for those who fish it from the sea, as well as, when it is salted and used as food for travelers inland. A similar statement was reported from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid and As-Suddi and others. Imam Malik bin Anas recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent an army towards the east coast and appointed Abu 'Ubaydah bin Al-Jarrah as their commander, and the army consisted of three hundred men, including myself. We marched on until we reached a place where our food was about to finish. Abu 'Ubaydah ordered us to collect all the food for our journey, and it was collected in two bags of dates. Abu 'Ubaydah kept on giving us our daily ration in small amounts from it, until it was exhausted. The share of each of us used to be one date only." I (one of the narrators from Jabir) said, "How could one date suffice for you?" Jabir replied, "We came to know its value when even that finished." Jabir added, "When we reached the seashore, we saw a huge fish which was like a small mountain. The army ate from it for eighteen days. Then Abu 'Ubaydah ordered that two of its ribs be affixed in the ground. Then he ordered that a she-camel be ridden, and it passed under the two ribs (forming an arch) without touching them." This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs.

Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "A man asked Allah's Messenger, 'O Allah's Messenger! We go to sea and carry little water …

Say: "Not equal are the bad things and the good things, even though the abundance of the bad may please you. " So have Taqwa of Allah, O men of understanding in order that you may be successful (100)O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you. Allah has forgiven that, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing (101)Before you, a community asked such questions, then on that account they became disbelievers.) Allah says to His Messenger (pbuh (102)

قُلْ

(Say,) O Muhammad ﷺ,

لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ

(Not equal are the bad things and the good things, even though they may please you) O human,

كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ

(the abundance of bad.) This Ayah means, the little permissible is better than the abundant evil.

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

(have Taqwa of Allah, O men of understanding...) who have sound minds, avoid and abandon the impermissible, and let the permissible be sufficient for you,

لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

(in order that you may be successful.) in this life and the Hereafter.

Unnecessary Questioning is Disapproved of

Allah said next,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِن تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ

(O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.)

This Ayah refers to good conduct that Allah is teaching His believing servants, by forbidding them from asking about useless things. Since if they get the answers they sought, they might be troublesome for them and difficult on their ears. Al-Bukhari recorded that Anas bin Malik said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave a speech unlike anything I heard before. In this speech, he said,

لَو تَعْلَمُونَ مَا أَعْلَمُ، لَضَحِكْتُمْ قَلِيلًا، وَلَبَكَيْتُمْ كَثِيرًا

(If you but know what I know, you will laugh little and cry a lot.)

The companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺ covered their faces and the sound of crying was coming out of their chests. A man asked, 'Who is my father?' The Prophet ﷺ said, 'So-and-so'. This Ayah was later revealed,

لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ

(Ask not about things...)." Muslim, Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i recorded this Hadith.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Qatadah said about Allah's statement,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِن تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ

(O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble.)

Anas bin Malik narrated that once, the people were questioning the Messenger of Allah ﷺ until they made him angry. So he ascended the Minbar and said,

لَا تَسْأَلُونِي الْيَوْمَ عَنْ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا بَيَّنْتُهُ لَكُم

(You will not ask me about anything today but I will explain it to you.)

So the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ feared that it was the commencement of a momentous event, and I looked to my right and left and found only people who covered their faces, crying. An argumentative man who was said to be the son of someone other than his true father asked, "O Allah's Messenger! Who is my father? The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Your …