(5) Al-Maeda

With the name of Allah, the Impartial, the Compassionate.

(5) Al-Maeda

This Surath contains 120 verses that were revealed in Medina at the end of the 6th and 7th years of Hijra. It is told in verse 5: 114 for the question from disciples of Jesus: “Can your Lord send down a Food tray upon us from the Heaven?” Jesus prayed to Lord for the Food tray from Heaven and it was granted. Jesus along with his 4000 disciples ate from it. But Jews among them became suspicious about the food tray by neglecting Lord’s Warning mentioned in verse 5: 115. Due to the continuous disobedience, Lord cursed them and transformed them into swine as told in verse 5: 60. From this, the Surath got the name Al-Maeda (the Food tray).

During the 6th year of Hijra Messenger Muhammad along with 1400 followers started to Mecca for performing Umra (pilgrimage). But they were prevented by the Meccan pagans at Udaibiya which is 20km away from Mecca. Then a treaty named the “Udaibiya treaty” was made between Messenger and the leaders of Meccan pagans. According to the treaty Messenger Muhammad and his followers had to return to Medina without performing Umra that year, and in the next year, they can do it. This Sura includes verses about rules and regulations to be followed during Umra. The part of the 3rd verse of this Sura: “On this Day I have perfected your Dheen for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have satisfied Islam as your way of life” is the last revelation of the Lord’s Book.

By reminding about the first murder committed by Qabeel on Habeel, Lord gives Judgment for murder through this Surath. It is told in verses 5: 44-45 and 47 that whoever received the Book but doesn’t Judge in his individual, family, and social life with It, they are the disbelievers, wrongdoers, and transgressors. The usage of liquor and intoxicants, customs, and character of Meccan pagan upon livestock like Baheerath, Wasweelath, and Haam was mentioned as the footsteps of Satan. This Surath also mentions the questioning of the Messengers by the Lord about their followers.