Day 65 · Surah Al-Maidah Verses 96-108

Al-Ma'idah 96–108

Game from the sea is made lawful while game on land is forbidden when in the sacred state, then the reading highlights the danger of asking many questions outside the revelation, blind imitation of ancestors, and the rules regarding a will with two witnesses.

• The catch of the sea is permissible to eat, while the catch of land is forbidden while in the sacred state.
• The Kaaba is made a symbol of establishing worship like prayer, Hajj, and sacrificial offerings, and what is evil is not like what is good even if many people do it.
• The believers are reminded not to ask many questions outside the Qur'an, just as Ahlul Kitab asked too many questions about the revelation until they became disbelievers.
• Old beliefs about livestock that were venerated are abandoned because they are lies that have no basis in sound reason.
• A will before death must be witnessed by two just people who are ready to swear, and if they are found to be lying, the testimony of others who know better is given precedence.

Still related to the management of wealth and food, verse 96 emphasizes that it is permissible to eat the catch of the sea and forbidden to eat the catch of land while in the sacred state. This matter, on the surface, appears trivial, yet it has the meaning of God-consciousness and longing to meet Allah.

Verses 97-103 explain several important matters related to obedience to Allah's system such as Allah created the Kaaba to be a symbol of establishing worship to Allah, especially prayer and Hajj. Likewise the sacrifice. All of this must be obeyed. If not, it will receive severe punishment from Allah, because the Messenger has conveyed it clearly.

The evil system is not like the good system of Allah. Do not be tempted to do evil because the majority of people do it. God-consciousness of Allah is a fortress that protects us from evil deeds. Allah reminds the believers not to ask many questions outside the Qur'an because the Qur'an has been revealed perfectly. Allah will not answer such questions again. Do not be like Ahlul Kitab who ask too many questions about the revelation. In the end they become disbelievers. Abandon the belief regarding livestock such as bahīrah, sā'ibah, waṣīlah and hām, because it will lead to lies and disbelief in Allah. All of this is because of not using sound reason.

Verse 104 clearly explains that the main factor for humanity to reject Allah's law and system is the legacy of thought and the tradition of ancestors. The tradition of ancestors is so powerfully imprisoning sound reason and the natural disposition of man, except for those who receive Allah's guidance.

Verses 105-108 remind the believers of several of Allah's systems in this life:

1. The obligation to protect the purity of creed, worship, mu'amalah and manners amidst the misguidance of society. Those misguided will not bring harm as long as we hold firmly to Islam.
2. The obligation to implement the system of will before death witnessed by two just people so that there is no conflict among heirs or family after the death of parents. Both witnesses must be ready to give honest testimony and ready to be sworn to in the name of Allah and must never conceal that testimony. If both witnesses are found to be lying, there must be other witnesses who know the matter and swear in the name of Allah that their testimony is more worthy of being heard than the first two witnesses. Remember, the system of will is part of the system of wealth and household management in Islam that must be implemented so that the Muslim family truly receives the pleasure and blessing of Allah.

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