6. Al-An'aam

(He it is Who produceth) creates (gardens trellised) spread out: i.e. not resting on trunks such as vines and other vegetations (and untrellised) that which rests on trunks such as walnuts and almonds, (and the date-palm, and crops of diverse flavour) sweetness and sourness, (and the olive) and He created the olive tree (and the pomegranate) of pomegranate trees, (like) in colour and appearance (and unlike) in taste. (Eat you of the fruit thereof) of the fruit of the palm-tree (when it fruits) when it ripens, (and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day) it could also mean upon measuring it, (and be not prodigal) do not spend in disobedience of Allah nor prevent the obedience of Allah; it is also said that this means: do not forbid the Bahirah, the Sa'ibah, the Wasilah and the Ham. (Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals) those who spend in disobedience of Allah; or it could mean: the idolaters. It is said that this verse was revealed about Thabit Ibn Qays who collected with his own hands the harvest of 500 palm-trees and gave it away, not leaving a thing for his own family.

(And of the cattle) He creates of the cattle (some for burdens) like camels and oxen, (some for food) and some not for burdens such as sheep and young camels. (Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed upon you) of crops and cattle, (and follow not the footsteps of the devil) what the devil has made seem fair by forbidding some crops and cattle, (for lo! he is an open foe to you) whose enmity is quite manifest, for he commands you to forbid some crops and cattle.

(Eight pairs) He created eight pairs: (Of the sheep twain) male and female, (and of the goats twain) male and female. (Say) to Malik, O Muhammad: (Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females) is the prohibition of the Bahirah and Wasilah because of the fluids of the two males or those of the two females, (or that which the wombs of the two females contain) before copulation? (Expound to me (the case) with knowledge, if ye are truthful) that Allah has made unlawful that which you claim.

(And of the camels) and He created of the camels (twain) male and female (and of the oxen twain) male and female. (Say) O Muhammad, to Malik: (Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females) is the prohibition of the Bahirah and Wasilah because of the fluids of the two males or those of the two females, (or that which the wombs of the two females contain) before copulation? Another way of understanding this is as follows: is this prohibited because what is delivered is male or because it is female? (or were ye by to witness when Allah commanded you (all) this) all that you claim? (Then who doth greater wrong) who is more insolent and bolder vis-�-vis Allah (than he who deviseth) invents (a lie concerning Allah, that he may lead mankind astray) from Allah's religion and obedience (without knowledge) from Allah. (Lo! Allah guideth not) does not direct to His religion and proof (wrong-doing folk) the idolaters, meaning: Malik Ibn 'Awf.

Malik Ibn 'Awf understood what was required of him and kept silent. Instead, he said: �Let me hear from you, O Muhammad, why our forefathers forbade them�. So Allah said: (Say) O Muhammad: (I find not in that which is revealed unto me) i.e. the Qur'an (aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swine flesh for that verily is foul) unlawful (or the abomination) an immolated animal (which was immolated to the name of other than Allah) intentionally. (But whoso is compelled (thereto)) whoever is forced to eat the meat of carrion, (neither craving) i.e. without infringement on Muslims nor deeming the meat of carrion lawful in other than necessity (nor transgressing) nor committing highway robbery or intentionally eating of the meat of carrion without being compelled to do so, ((for him) lo! your Lord is Forgiving) if he eats to satiety, (Merciful) in that which He made dispensation for him. However, he ought not to eat to satiety, and if he does, Allah will pardon him.

(Unto those who are Jews We forbade every animal with claws) every bird with claws and every predatory animal with teeth, as well as every beast that has claws such as camels, ducks, geese, egrets and rabbits. All these were forbidden for them. (And of the oxen and the sheep forbade We unto them the fat thereof) i.e. the fat spread between the bowels and intestines and the fat spread over the kidneys (save that upon the backs or the entrails, or that which is mixed with the bone) such as the tail; all these were lawful for them. (That) which We made unlawful for them (We awarded them) We punished them (for their rebellion) because of their transgression We made all these forbidden for them. (And lo! We verily are Truthful) in what We have said.

(So if they give the lie to thee) O Muhammad regarding the prohibitions that We described to you, (say: Your Lord is a Lord of all-embracing mercy) towards the pious and sinner alike, in that He defers torment to the next life, (and His wrath) His torment (will never be withdrawn from guilty folk) the idolaters.

(They who are idolaters will say: Had Allah willed, we had not ascribed (unto Him) partners neither had our fathers nor had we forbidden aught) of crops and cattle, but this has been commanded and forbidden for us. (Thus) just as did your people give the lie (did those who were before them give the lie) to their messengers (till they tasted of the fear of Us) Our torment. (Say) O Muhammad: (Have ye any knowledge) any clarification regarding what you describe as unlawful (that ye can adduce for us? Lo! ye follow naught but an opinion) your prohibition of crops and cattle is nothing but surmise. (Lo! Ye do but guess) you just lie.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad, if you do not have an argument for your claim, then (For Allah's is the final argument) the most firm argument. (Had He willed He could indeed have guided all of you) to His religion.