Surah Al Ma'idah Tafseer

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

Allah says;

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ

you who believe!

لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ اللّهُ 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,

Ali bin Abi Talhah Al-Walibi said that Ibn Abbas said that Allah's statement 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 اللّهُ 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 اعْتَدَى بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ

Then whoever transgresses thereafter,

According to As-Suddi,

after this warning and threat, 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