SURAH AL-MAA IDAH (AYA 91 to 100)

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْبَغْضَاءَ فِي الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَعَنِ الصَّلَاةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُنْتَهُونَ {5:91}

[Q5:91] Innamaa yureedush Shaitaanu ai yooqi'a bainakumul 'adaawata wal baghdaaa'a fil khamri wal maisiri wa yasuddakum 'an zikril laahi wa 'anis Salaati fahal antum muntahoon. 
[Q5:91] The Shaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of ALLAH (SWT) and from prayer. Will you then desist?

[Q5:91] Sesungguhnya Syaitan itu hanyalah bermaksud mahu menimbulkan permusuhan dan kebencian di antara kamu dengan sebab arak dan judi dan mahu memalingkan kamu daripada mengingati ALLAH (SwT) dan daripada mengerjakan sembahyang. Oleh itu, mahukah kamu berhenti (daripada melakukan perkara-perkara yang keji dan kotor itu atau kamu masih berdegil)?  

(see commentary for verse 90)

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(5:91) By intoxicants and games of chance Satan only desires to create enmity and hatred between you, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from Prayer. Will you, then, desist?

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَاحْذَرُوا ۚ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ {5:92}

[Q5:92] Wa atee'ul laaha wa atee'ur Rasoola wahzaroo; fa in tawal laitum fa'lamooo annamaa 'alaa Rasoolinal balaaghul mubeen. 
[Q5:92] And obey ALLAH (SWT) and obey the messenger and be cautious; but if you turn back, then know that only a clear deliverance of the message is (incumbent) on Our messenger.

[Q5:92] Dan taatlah kamu kepada ALLAH (SwT) serta taatlah kepada Rasul ALLAH (SwT) dan awaslah (janganlah sampai menyalahi perintah ALLAH (SwT) dan RasulNya). Oleh itu, jika kamu berpaling (enggan menurut apa yang diperintahkan itu), maka ketahuilah, bahawa sesungguhnya kewajipan Rasul Kami hanyalah menyampaikan (perintah-perintah) dengan jelas nyata. 

Refer to the commentary of Ali Imran 3:31, 32 and Nisa 4:59.

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(5:92) Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and beware. But if you turn away, then know well that Our Messenger had merely to deliver the message clearly.

لَيْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا طَعِمُوا إِذَا مَا اتَّقَوْا وَآمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ ثُمَّ اتَّقَوْا وَآمَنُوا ثُمَّ اتَّقَوْا وَأَحْسَنُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {5:93}

[Q5:93] Laisa 'alal lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati junaahun feemaa ta'imooo izaa mat taqaw wa aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati summat taqaw wa aamanoo summat taqaw wa ahsanoo; wallaahu yuhibbul muhsineen. 
[Q5:93] On those who believe and do good there is no blame for what they eat, when they are careful (of their duty) and believe and do good deeds, then they are careful (of their duty) and believe, then they are careful (of their duty) and do good (to others), and ALLAH (SWT) loves those who do good (to others).

[Q5:93] Tidak ada dosa bagi orang-orang yang beriman serta mengerjakan amal yang soleh pada apa yang telah mereka makan dahulu, apabila mereka bertakwa dan beriman serta mengerjakan amal yang soleh, kemudian mereka tetap bertakwa dan beriman, kemudian mereka tetap bertakwa dan berbuat kebajikan; kerana ALLAH (SwT) mengasihi orang-orang yang berusaha memperbaiki amalannya.

Refer to the commentary of verses 87 and 88 of this surah. This verse refers to the case of those Muslims who were dead before wine and gambling were forbidden, PROVIDED they 1. Safeguarded themselves from evil, 2. Did good and 3. Believed.

1. BELIEVING IN ALLAH (SWT), 2. DOING GOOD AND 3. SAFEGUARDING ONESELF (AGAINST EVIL) WITH FULL AWARENESS OF ALLAH (SWT)'S LAWS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY STATED TO GUIDE THE BELIEVERS THAT THEY MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO ATTAIN PERFECTION IN PIETY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONTENT AT ANY STAGE, THINKING THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS ENOUGH.

The fear of the people about the fate of those who used to drink intoxicating drinks and gamble, and died before these evils were prohibited shows how decisive is the command of ALLAH (SWT) regarding wine-drinking and gambling. It may also refer to verse 87 of this surah in which case it means lawful things.

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(5:93) There will be no blame on those who believe and do righteous deeds for whatever they might have partaken (in the past) as long as they refrain from things prohibited, and persist in their belief and do righteous deeds, and continue to refrain from whatever is forbidden and submit to divine commandments, and persevere in doing good, fearing Allah. Allah loves those who do good.

SECTION 13

Security 0f the Ka’bah Inviolable

              Hunting during pilgrimage period, prohibited---The Inviolable Security of Ka’bah declared.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الصَّيْدِ تَنَالُهُ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَرِمَاحُكُمْ لِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَخَافُهُ بِالْغَيْبِ ۚ فَمَنِ اعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {5:94}

[Q5:94] Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo la yabluwannnakumul laahu bishai'im minas saidi tanaaluhooo aideekum wa rimaahukum liya'lamal laahu mai yakhaafuhoo bilghaib; famani' tadaa ba'da zaalika falahoo 'azaabun aleem. 

[Q5:94] O you who believe! ALLAH (SWT) will certainly try you in respect of some game which your hands and your lances can reach, that ALLAH (SWT) might know who fears Him in secret; but whoever exceeds the limit after this, he shall have a painful punishment.
[Q5:94] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Demi sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) akan menguji kamu (semasa kamu berihram) dengan sesuatu dari binatang buruan yang mudah ditangkap oleh tangan kamu dan (mudah terkena) tikaman lembing-lembing kamu, supaya ALLAH (SwT) ketahui wujudnya sesiapa yang takut kepadaNya semasa dia tidak melihatNya semasa dia tidak dilihat orang. Oleh itu, sesiapa yang melampaui batas sesudah yang demikian maka baginya azab yang tidak terperi sakitnya. 

Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah 2:196 and 197. KILLING OF EVEN THE SMALLEST LIVING BEING HAS BEEN PROHIBITED WHILE PERFORMING HAJJ IN THE SACRED HOUSE OF ALLAH (SWT), THE HOLY KA-BAH (refer to the commentary of al Baqarah 2:125).

Ì  "ALLAH (SWT) shall surely try you" shows the utmost importance of the command, YET Yazid not only desecrated the holy Ka-bah BUT planned to kill Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), in it. **Having come to know his wicked scheme in advance Imam Husayn, in order to save the sanctity of the holy sanctuary, substituted hajj with umrah and left Makka.

ALLAH (SWT) IS VERY STRICT IN ENFORCING HIS COMMANDS AND IN PUNISHING THOSE WHO VIOLATE WHAT HE HAS SANCTIFIED. SO MAN MUST HASTEN TO ASK HIS FORGIVENESS, TURN TO HIM IN REPENTANCE, AND MAKE AMENDS BY FOLLOWING HIS GUIDANCE.

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(5:94) Believers! Allah will surely try you with a game which will be within the range of your hands and lances so that He might mark out those who fear Him, even though He is beyond the reach of human perception. A painful chastisement awaits whosoever transgresses after that the bounds set by Allah.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْتُلُوا الصَّيْدَ وَأَنْتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۚ وَمَنْ قَتَلَهُ مِنْكُمْ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاءٌ مِثْلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ النَّعَمِ يَحْكُمُ بِهِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ هَدْيًا بَالِغَ الْكَعْبَةِ أَوْ كَفَّارَةٌ طَعَامُ مَسَاكِينَ أَوْ عَدْلُ ذَٰلِكَ صِيَامًا لِيَذُوقَ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِ ۗ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ ۚ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَيَنْتَقِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ ذُو انْتِقَامٍ {5:95}

[Q5:95] Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo laa taqtuslus saida wa antum hurum; wa man qatalahoo minkum mut'am midan fajazaaa'um mislu maa qatala minanna'ami yahkumu bihee zawaa 'adlim minkum hadyam baalighal Ka'bati aw kaffaaratun ta'aamu masaakeena aw 'adlu zaalika Siyaamal liyazooqa wabaala amrih; 'afal laahu 'ammaa salaf; wa man 'aada fayanta qimul laahu minh; wallaahu 'azeezun zuntiqaam. 

[Q5:95] O you who believe! do not kill game while you are on pilgrimage, and whoever among you shall kill it intentionally, the compensation (of it) is the like of what he killed, from the cattle, as two just persons among you shall judge, as an offering to be brought to the Kaaba or the expiation (of it) is the feeding of the poor or the equivalent of it in fasting, that he may taste the unwholesome result of his deed; ALLAH (SWT) has pardoned what is gone by; and whoever returns (to it), ALLAH (SWT) will inflict retribution on him; and ALLAH (SWT) is Mighty, Lord of Retribution.
[Q5:95] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Janganlah kamu membunuh binatang-binatang buruan ketika kamu sedang berihram dan sesiapa di antara kamu yang membunuhnya dengan sengaja, maka dendanya (menggantinya) dengan binatang ternak yang sama dengan binatang buruan yang dibunuh itu, yang ditetapkan hukumnya oleh dua orang yang adil di antara kamu, sebagai hadiah yang disampaikan ke Kaabah (untuk disembelih dan dibahagikan kepada fakir miskin di Tanah Suci) atau bayaran kaffarah, iaitu memberi makan orang-orang miskin atau berpuasa sebanyak bilangan cupak yang diberikan kepada orang miskin; supaya dapat dia merasai kesan yang buruk dari perbuatannya. ALLAH (SwT) maafkan apa yang telah lalu dan sesiapa yang mengulangi (kesalahan itu) maka ALLAH (SwT) akan menyeksanya dan (ingatlah) ALLAH (SwT) Maha Kuasa, lagi Berkuasa membalas dengan azab seksa.  

(see commentary for verse 94)

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(5:95) Believers! Do not kill game while you are in the state of pilgrim sanctity. *110 Whoever of you kills it wilfully there shall be a recompense, the like of what he has killed in cattle - as shall be judged by two men of equity among you - to be brought to the Ka'bah as an offering, or as an expiation the feeding of the needy, or its equivalent in fasting *111 in order that he may taste the grievousness of his deed. Allah has pardoned whatever has passed; but Allah will exact a penalty from him who repeats it. Allah is All-Mighty. He is fully capable of exacting penalties.

*110. When a person is in the state of pilgrim sanctity (ihram) it is prohibited for him both to hunt and to assist in hunting animals. Indeed, even if an animal has been hunted for him by someone else he may not eat it. However, if someone hunts an animal for himself and makes a gift of it to such a person, there is no harm in his eating it. There is an exception to this injunction and that is with regard to harmful animals. Snakes, scorpions, mad dogs and other such animals which cause injury to man may be killed even by one in the state of ihram. (See Bukhari, 'Talaq', 24; 'Sayd', 2; Abu Da'ud, 'Manasik', 40, 41; Tirmidhi, 'Hajj', 27; 'Sayd', 26 - Ed.)
*111. It would also be 'two men of equity' (Surah al-Ma'idah 5: 95) to judge as to the number of persons one should feed or the number of days one should fast by way of expiation for killing a certain animal.

أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُ مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ الْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًا ۗ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ {5:96}

[Q5:96] Uhilla lakum saidul bahri wa ta'aamuhoo mataa'al lakum wa lissaiyaarati wa hurrima 'alaikum saidul barri maa dumtum hurumaa; wattaqul laahal lazeee ilaihi tuhsharoon. 
[Q5:96] Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, a provision for you and for the travellers, and the game of the land is forbidden to you so long as you are on pilgrimage, and be careful of (your duty to) ALLAH (SWT), to Whom you shall be gathered.

[Q5:96] Dihalalkan bagi kamu binatang buruan laut dan makanan yang didapati dari laut, sebagai bekalan bagi kamu (untuk dinikmati kelazatannya) dan juga bagi orang-orang yang dalam pelayaran; tetapi diharamkan atas kamu memburu binatang buruan darat selama kamu sedang berihram. Oleh itu, bertakwalah kepada ALLAH (SwT), yang kepadaNya kamu akan dihimpunkan.  

(see commentary for verse 94)

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(5:96) The game of the water and eating thereof *112 are permitted to you as a provision for you (who are settled) and for those on a journey; but to hunt on land while you are in the state of Pilgrim sanctity is forbidden for you. Beware, then, of disobeying Allah to Whom you shall all be mustered.

*112. Since one often runs out of provisions during a voyage and is left with no alternative but to catch sea creatures, fishing in the sea has been made lawful. 

جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْكَعْبَةَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ قِيَامًا لِلنَّاسِ وَالشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَالْهَدْيَ وَالْقَلَائِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ {5:97}

[Q5:97] Ja'alal laahul Ka'batal Baital Haraama qiyaamal linnaasi wash Shahral Haraama walhadya walqalaaa'id; zaalika lita'lamooo annal laaha ya'lamu maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ardi wa annal laaha bikulli shai'in 'Aleem. 

[Q5:97] ALLAH (SWT) has made the Kaaba, the sacred house, a maintenance for the people, and the sacred month and the offerings and the sacrificial animals with garlands; this is that you may know that ALLAH (SWT) knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and that ALLAH (SWT) is the Knower of all things.
[Q5:97] ALLAH (SwT) menjadikan Kaabah, rumah yang mulia itu, sebagai tempat tumpuan manusia (untuk menjalankan ibadat dan hal-hal hidup), demikian juga bulan-bulan yang mulia dan binatang-binatang korban dan kalong-kalong binatang korban itu. Yang demikian itu, supaya kamu ketahui bahawa sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) mengetahui apa yang ada di langit dan apa yang ada di bumi dan bahawa sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) Maha mengetahui akan tiap-tiap sesuatu. 

KA’BA HAS BEEN MADE, I.E., DECLARED AS THE ‘SCARED HOUSE’ NOT BY ANY MORTAL BUT BY ALLAH (SWT) HIMSELF.

µ  It is almost a prophecy to say it will ever remain sacred. It is also prophetic declaration that the Holy Ka’ba shall forever remain a place of pilgrimage and it shall ever be in the hands of the Muslims and no infidel power will ever have access to it.

The pilgrimage to the Ka’ba which will ever be done by the Muslims will be a sign for the future ages that the revelation enjoining it came from the One, Who knows all things, at a time when the Ka’ba was hardly known beyond the Arabian borders.

(see commentary for verse 94)

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(5:97) Allah has appointed the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, as a means of support for (the collective life of) men, and has caused the holy month (of Pilgrimage), and the animals of sacrificial of-fering and their distinguishing collars to assist therein. *113 This is so that you may know that Allah is aware of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; and that Allah has knowledge of everything. *114

*113. In Arabia, the Ka'bah was not merely a sacred place of worship. Thanks to its central position and its sanctity, it nurtured the economic and cultural life of the whole peninsula. Since the entire populace was drawn towards the Ka'bah for the performance of Hajj and 'Umrah, their coming together brought about a measure of unity in the life of the Arabs which was otherwise rent with disunity. This enabled the people of various regions and tribes to establish social and cultural ties among themselves. Moreover, the security which reigned in the vicinity of the Ka'bah provided an impetus to creative literary activity, with the result that in the fairs held in the sacred territory, poets placed their poetic compositions before the audience, trying to excel one another. This led to the growth and flowering of their language and literature. Thanks, again, to the peace and security which reigned in the sacred territory, it became a major centre of trade and commerce. Moreover, since certain months of the year were regarded as sacred months in which there could be no bloodshed, the Arabs enjoyed peace and security for about a quarter of the year. It was during this period that caravans moved in freedom and with ease from one end of the peninsula to the other. The custom of consecrating animals for sacrifice, marked off from others by the collars around their necks, also facilitated the movement of caravans, for whenever the Arabs saw those animals with their collars signifying consecration for sacrifice, they-bent their heads in reverence and no predatory tribe had the courage to molest them. 
*114. Were they to consider even the social and economic aspects of the life of their people, the existing arrangements would provide them with clear testimony to the fact that God has deep and thorough knowledge of the interests and requirements of His creatures, and that He can ensure immensely beneficial effects on many sectors of human life by just one single commandment. During the several centuries of anarchy and disorder which preceded the advent of the Prophet (peace be on him), the Arabs were themselves unaware of their own interests and seemed bent upon self-destruction. God, however, was aware of their needs and requirements and by merely investing the Ka'bah with a central position in Arabia He ensured their national survival. Even if they disregarded innumerable other facts and reflected on this alone they would become convinced that the injunctions revealed by God were conducive to their well-being, and that underlying them were a great many benefits and advantages for them which they themselves could neither have grasped nor achieved by their own contriving. 

اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {5:98}

[Q5:98] I'lamooo annal laaha shadeedul 'iqaabi wa annal laaha Ghafoorur Raheem. 
[Q5:98] Know that ALLAH (SWT) is severe in requiting (evil) and that ALLAH (SWT) is Forgiving, Merciful.

[Q5:98] Ketahuilah oleh kamu, bahawasanya ALLAH (SwT) Maha berat azab seksaNya (kepada orang yang kufur dan derhaka) dan bahawasanya ALLAH (SwT) Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Mengasihani (bagi orang yang mengerjakan suruhanNya dan meninggalkan laranganNya).  

(see commentary for verse 94)

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(5:98) Know well that Allah is severe in retribution, and that Allah is also All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.

مَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ {5:99}

[Q5:99] Maa 'alar Rasooli illal balaagh; wallaahu ya'lamu maa tubdoona wa maa taktumoon. 

[Q5:99] Nothing is (incumbent) on the Messenger but to deliver (the message), and ALLAH (SWT) knows what you do openly and what you hide.
[Q5:99] Tidak ada kewajipan yang ditugaskan kepada Rasulullah selain daripada menyampaikan (perintah-perintah ALLAH (SwT)) sahaja dan ALLAH (SwT) sentiasa mengetahui apa yang kamu lahirkan dan apa yang kamu sembunyikan. 

THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) HAD PERFORMED HIS MISSION OF DELIVERING ALLAH (SWT)'S MESSAGE TO THE FULL. ALLAH (SWT) knows what his followers disclose by words and deeds and what their secret thoughts and inner feelings are.

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(5:99) The Messenger is bound only to deliver the message, whereafter Allah knows well all that you disclose and all that you conceal.

قُلْ لَا يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ {5:100}

[Q5:100] Qul laa yastawil khabeesu wattaiyibu wa law a'jabaka kasratul khabees; fattaqul laaha yaaa ulil albaabi la'allakum tuflihoon. 
[Q5:100] Say: The bad and the good are not equal, though the abundance of the bad may please you; so be careful of (your duty to) ALLAH (SWT), O men of understanding, that you may be successful.

[Q5:100] Katakanlah (wahai Muhammad): Tidak sama yang buruk dengan yang baik, walaupun banyaknya yang buruk itu menarik hatimu. Oleh itu bertakwalah kepada ALLAH (SwT) wahai orang-orang yang berakal fikiran, supaya kamu berjaya. 

THAT WHICH WINS HIS APPROVAL AND PLEASURE IS NOT EQUAL TO THAT WHICH IS DISAPPROVED AND CURSED BY ALLAH (SWT). The accursed and the unclean are in abundance, THEREFORE, do not follow the majority or join the crowd which is going in the direction of Shaytan. IN ALL EVENTS PREPONDERANCE OR GREATER NUMBER IS NOT THE TRUE CRITERION.

µ  The thoroughly purified Ahlul Bayt (Ahzab 33:33) are the most exalted human beings and should not be compared with those who are impure BECAUSE darkness and light cannot be equal (Rad 13:16).

µ  The position of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) in relation to the people is that of the head to the body. Hence the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) is addressed here through the concerned object is of Muslim.

THIS VERSE IS A VERY USEFUL WHIP AND A NOTE FOR THOSE WHO STUDY IT INTERLLIGENTLY. THE HOLY AHLUL BAIT WHOSE ESSENTIAL PURITY HAS BEEN VOUCHED BY THE HOLY QUR’AN VIA VERSE 33:33 CAN NEVER BE COMPARED WITH THOSE WHOSE ESSENTIAL IMPURITY HAD ALEADY MANIFESTED ITSELF FROM THEIR PERSONAL QUALITIES.

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(5:100) (O Messenger!) Say to them: "The bad things and the good things are not equal, even though the abundance of the bad things might make you pleased with them. *115 Men of understanding, beware of disobeying Allah; then maybe you will attain true success.'

*115. This verse enunciates a standard of evaluation and judgement quite distinct from the standards employed by superficial people. For the latter, for instance, a hundred dollars are worth more than five dollars, since a hundred is more than five. But, according to this verse, if those hundred dollars have been earned in a manner entailing the disobedience of God the entire amount becomes unclean. If, on the contrary, a man earns five dollars while obeying God then this amount is clean; and anything which is unclean, whatever its quantity, cannot be worth that which is clean. A drop of perfume is more valuable than a heap of filth; a palmful of clean water is much more valuable than a huge cauldron brimming with urine. A truly wise person should therefore necessarily be content with whatever he acquires by clean, permissible means, however small and humble its quantity may be. He should not reach out for what is prohibited, however large in quantity and glittering in appearance.