Day 76 · Surah Al-An'am Verses 138-146

Al-An'am 138–146

The rules made up by the polytheists about livestock and plants are exposed with pointed questions, then it is explained what is truly forbidden and why the Jews were subjected to additional prohibitions.

The polytheists make up their own rules, such as livestock and plants that only certain people can eat, livestock that cannot be ridden, and fetuses that are only halal for males.
Killing children out of fear of poverty is called foolishness, yet it is Allah who causes palm trees, olives, pomegranates and various fruits to grow for mankind.
Zakat from the harvest must be fulfilled at the time of harvesting, and one should not be excessive for Allah does not love the excessive.
They are challenged to explain from the eight livestock in pairs which are forbidden, which are male, which are female, or which are in the womb.
What is truly forbidden is carrion, blood, and pork because they are unclean, except in case of necessity, while the additional prohibition on the Jews is a punishment for their disobedience.

Verses 138-142 continue to explain the error of the polytheists' beliefs. Among them:

Believing that certain animals and agricultural produce can only be eaten by certain people.
There are livestock that cannot be used as mounts.
There is livestock that can be slaughtered without mentioning the name of Allah.
There is livestock in the womb that can only be for males and is forbidden for wives. If the womb is born dead, they believe it is halal for both males and females. All such beliefs and assumptions are lies about Allah, and they will receive severe punishment. This understanding also affects the murder of their children.

A person who is unwilling to accept the birth of a child out of fear of poverty is foolish because he accuses Allah of being unable to provide him with sustenance. Such action is misguided and far from Allah's guidance. How can Allah not be able to provide sustenance to the children born and even to humans, when He is the One who causes various types of plants that creep and those that do not creep to grow, palm trees, plants with various fruits, olives, pomegranates that are similar and dissimilar, and various fruits that can be eaten.

Fulfil the obligation of zakat after harvesting and do not be excessive in consuming it for Allah does not like the excessive. Similarly, livestock are creations of Allah. Some are for transportation and some are for food. All of this is provision from Allah. So believing and managing sustenance without following the system of Islam is the work of Satan. Satan will rejoice if humans follow his steps.

Verses 143-146 continue to explain the misguidance of the Jahiliyyah system regarding livestock as in the previous verses. To refute their unfounded arguments, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad ﷺ so that they can prove it. The way is to gather 8 livestock consisting of two pairs of sheep and two pairs of goats. Then ask the polytheists to explain which is forbidden by Allah? The male or the female? Or what is in the belly which is forbidden? Explain if you are truthful people? Or two pairs of camels and two pairs of cattle. Which are male or female or in the belly which is forbidden? Did you witness when Allah established His system regarding livestock.

It is a great injustice for someone who fabricates lies about Allah to mislead people without knowledge. Such injustice and injustice in other forms become a barrier for someone or society from receiving Allah's guidance.

Allah commands Prophet Muhammad to explain His system regarding livestock. What Allah has forbidden is carrion, blood and pork and as explained in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 173 and Al-Maidah verses 3 and 4. The reason for forbidding is because they are unclean and a violation of Allah's rules. Except for those in necessity and not intentionally and only to save life. The Jews were forbidden many things by Allah because of their disobedience and rebellion against Allah such as all animals that have hooves, the fat of cattle and the fat of goats except what is attached to the back or the fat belly or what is mixed with its bones. Such is the punishment for their disobedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

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