Al-Ma'idah 6–13
Today's reading discusses purification before prayer, the command to be just even to those whom you hate, and a warning not to repeat the treachery of Bani Israel against their covenant.
Verse 6 explains the system of thaharah (purification) from hadath (spiritual impurity) both minor and major. Minor hadath is cleaned with ablution and major hadath with bathing. Ablution is performed by washing the face, both hands up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing both feet up to our ankles. Major hadath is cleansed by bathing, pouring water over the entire body.
Purification is a fundamental teaching of Islam. Therefore, prayer must be performed in a state of purity from filth, both minor and major ritual impurity. If there is no water, then tayammum is performed, using clean dust by wiping it over the face and both hands up to the elbows. The conditions are: if one is ill and it is medically inadvisable to use water, if one is traveling, and when minor or major ritual impurity has occurred.
Verse 7 reminds believers of Allah's many blessings and the covenant (bay'ah) taken from the Messenger to obey him and support his struggle. Therefore, make God-consciousness toward Allah the foundation of all deeds.
Verses 8 and 9 command believers to uphold justice even toward those you hate, because justice is closer to God-consciousness. Faith and upholding justice are good deeds that receive the promise of forgiveness and great reward from Allah.
Verse 10 continues the previous verse regarding the obligation to uphold justice. If upholding justice, which is a main pillar of Islamic politics and governance, is grounded in faith in Allah, then it is a good deed and will receive great forgiveness and reward. If the opposite occurs, namely rejecting and not believing in Allah's system, then the perpetrator will become an inhabitant of Hellfire.
Verses 11-13 call upon believers to remember Allah's numerous and great blessings. Among them, Allah saved the first generation of believers who had faith in Allah and His Messenger from the attacks and harm of the disbelievers who wanted to destroy them. Therefore, if the believers after them want to be saved and receive the same protection from Allah, then make God-consciousness and reliance on Allah the foundation of daily life.
Allah reminds believers not to be like Bani Israel who were not committed to their covenant with Allah regarding the practice of various religious teachings such as prayer, charity, belief in the messengers, helping them and giving in Allah's way. If they had done all this well, then Allah promised He would erase all their sins and mistakes and admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow. In reality, they violated all these religious teachings. It is this violation that caused them to stray from Allah's straight path.
Bani Israel not only went astray but also received the curse of Allah, then their hearts became hard. It is no wonder then that their tendency was to alter Allah's revelation (the Torah and Injil) from its true meaning, neglecting worship and good deeds, and always betraying, except for a few among them. Nevertheless, Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad to forgive and be lenient toward them, for Allah loves those who do good.
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