Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Section 11: Allah the Creator and Knower of everything

Allah the Creator of the heavens and the earth, The Divine Unity -polytheism to be gradually wiped out -Not to abuse false gods lest the infidels might ignorantly abuse Allah.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 101 - 102

بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُ صَاحِبَةٌ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

ذَلِكُمُ اللّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ

101. "(He is the) Divisor of the heavens and the earth! How can He have a child while there is for Him no consort, and He created everything, and He is All-Knowing of all things?"

102. "That is Allah your Lord! there is no god but He, the Creator of everything, Therefore worship Him, for He is Guardian over all things."

This verse answers to the superstitious beliefs. At first, it says:

"(He is the) Divisor of the heavens and the earth!"

The Qur'anic term /badi'/ means 'the producer of something new without having a precedent', That is, Allah, Glory be to Him, has brought the heavens and the earth into being without any previous substance, or design and plan.

Moreover, how is it possible that He can have a child while He has not a spouse? The verse says:

"…How can He have a child while there is for Him no consort.....?"

Basically, He does not need a spouse, and who can be His spouse when He has created all creatures?

Once more the Qur'an emphasizes the rank of Allah’s creative power in respect to all existing things and all human beings, and His Scientific Omnipotence in respect to all of them, and says:

"... and He created everything, and He is All-Knowing of all things?"

After mentioning the creative power of Allah in respect to all things, and bringing the heavens and the earth into existence, and that He is Glorified to have body and bodily issues, or to have any spouse and child, and that His Scientific Omnipotence in respect to everything and all affairs, it concludes thus:

"That is Allah your Lord....."

And, since there is none to have some attributes like them, then none is eligible to be worshipped save Allah. He is both the Lord and the Creator. Therefore, only Allah (S.w.T.) can be the deity. Thus do worship Him.

The verse continues saying:

"... there is no god but He, the Creator of everything. Therefore worship Him....."

In order to cut out any hope to anything except the hope to Allah, and to eradicate any idolatry and, in general, any reliance to other than Allah, at the end of the verse it adds:

"... for He is Guardian over all things."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 103

لاَّ تُدْرِكُهُ الأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الأَبْصَارَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

103. "The eyes do not perceive Him, but He perceives the eyes, He is all subtle, the All-Aware."

In order to prove Allah’s sovereignty and Guardianship over every thing, and to prove His difference from the whole creatures, it says:

"The eyes do not perceive Him, but He perceives the eyes...."

Allah is the bestower of kinds of blessings, and He is aware of all details and cognizant of everything. He knows the expedients of the servants as well as their needs. Therefore, He treats them as His Grace requires.

"... He is the All-Subtle, the All-Aware"

In fact, the one who wants to be guardian, educator, and shelter of every existence should be qualified with these attributes.

Allah is not seen by the Eyes

Rational demonstrations (proofs) testify that Allah can never be seen by vision, because eyes can see only substances, or some of the qualities of substances. Then, something which is neither a substance, nor it is the quality of a substance, is never seen by vision.

In other words, if something is seen by vision, it certainly should have place, direction, and material, while He, the Exalted, is above all these things. Allah is an infinite Essence that is why He is beyond the world of material. In the world of material, everything is finite and limited.

It has been narrated from Imam Rida (as) who said:

"The objective meaning of /'absar/ (the eyes) is not the eyes of head, but it is the eye of heart, the insight."

That is, He (S.w.T.) is beyond apparition, suspicion, and imagination. He cannot be contained in any body's imagination, and none can comprehend the how ness of His Essence1 .

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 104

قَدْ جَاءكُم بَصَآئِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ

104. "Certainly clear proofs have come to you from your Lord. Whoever therefore sees (with insight), it is to his own gain, and whoever be blind, it is to his own loss; and am not a keeper over you."

"Certainly clear proofs have come to you from your Lord....."

The term /basa'ir/ is the plural form of /basirat/ which means some indications and guidance by which the truth will be manifested. It also means the light of the heart (mind), while /basar/ means the light of the eye. Then the phrase means that they have come to you from your Lord with the purpose of paying attention to this matter that what is right to Allah and what is not.

By means of the divine revelation, there have come down some information that are considered as a light and the power of sight for your hearts (minds).

"... Whoever therefore sees (with insight), it is to his own gain, and whoever be blind, it is to his own loss;

That is, the person who looks at the Truth and believes in it, has worked for his own profit; and the one who relinquishes it, has acted toward his own loss.

It is understood from this verse that people are not obliged in doing their affairs. They are free and authorized in choosing them and performing them.

Then, the revelation commands the Prophet (S) to tell those people that he is not a protector of them to keep their deeds and to give them rewards, but he is only an admonisher, while Allah is their protector. The verse says:

"... and I am not a keeper over you."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 105

وَكَذَلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الآيَاتِ وَلِيَقُولُواْ دَرَسْتَ وَلِنُبَيِّنَهُ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

105. "And thus do We repeat the Signs, that they may say (unto you): "You have studied" and that We may make it clear to a people who know."

In order to emphasize that the final decision for choosing the way of right and the way of wrong is upon the servants of Allah themselves, the verse says:

"And thus do We repeat the Signs...."

But a group of the opponents may oppose you and, without having any authentic evidence or research, they say that you have learnt these lessons from the Jews and the Christians, which have been taken from their revealed Books.

"... that they may say (unto you): "You have studied" ..."

Yet, Our aim is that We make it manifest for those who have knowledge and understanding.

"... and that We may make it clear to a people who know."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 106

اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

106. "Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; there is no god but He; and turn away from the polytheists."

Here, the Qur'an has defined the duty of the Prophet (S) against the quarrelsomeness, rancor, and accusations of the opponents. This holy verse implies that his duty is to follow whatever has been revealed to him (S) from the side of Allah (S.w.T.), the Lord, and that there is no deity but He.

The verse says:

"Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; there is no god but He....."

His duty is also to be heedless toward polytheists, their undue accusations, and their vain words. It says:

"... and turn away from the polytheists."

In fact, this verse is a kind of soothing and spiritual strengthening for the Prophet (S), so that he can be ever firm in his strong determination and that he withdraws aught.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 107

وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ مَا أَشْرَكُواْ وَمَا جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ

107. "And had Allah pleased, they would not have associated others (with Him), and We have not made you a keeper over them, nor are you over them a guardian."

This fact is confirmed again in this verse that Allah does not please to force them to believe in Truth.

"And had Allah pleased, they would not have associated others (with Him)....."

Also, the holy verse emphasizes on the same subject that was mentioned before, saying:

"... and We have not made you a keeper over them....."

As your duty is not to force them to believe, then:

"... nor are you over them a guardian."

The tones of these verses are greatly considerable from this point of view that belief in Allah and in Islam can never have the obligatory state. Hence progression in this way should be performed through the way of logic, reasoning and penetrating in the souls and minds of people.

The reason of this idea is that an obligatory belief is worthless. The important matter is that people comprehend the facts and accept them with their own authority and will.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 108

وَلاَ تَسُبُّواْ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ فَيَسُبُّواْ اللّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ كَذَلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِم مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

108. "And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, or they will abuse Allah in revenge without any knowledge. Thus unto every nation have We made their behavior seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, so He will inform them of what they used to do."

In this verse, Allah emphasizes on this meaning that idols and deities of the pagans should never be abused. This action causes the holy Essence of Allah to be abused by them, revengefully and unjustly, because of their ignorance.

As it is understood from some Islamic traditions, it happened that sometimes some of the believers, who were seriously unbecoming from the phenomenon of idolatry, used indecent language and abused the idols of the pagans.

The Qur'an explicitly prohibited that action. From the point of Islam, having modesty and observing the principles of discipline, and courtesy in speech is necessary for a believer, even if it is before the most superstitious and the worst wrong religions.

It is not possible to prevent a person from a wrong way by means of abusing him, because everybody is zealous unto his own beliefs and deeds. The verse says:

"And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, or they will abuse Allah in revenge without any knowledge....."

However, every sect or group of people think that their conduct is fair, because it is as their nature pleases, but, in the meantime, they have been introduced the Truth in order that they act accordingly and avoid the falsehood. The verse continues saying:

"... thus unto every nation have We made their behavior seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return, so He will inform them of what they used to do."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 109

وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِاللّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِن جَاءتْهُمْ آيَةٌ لَّيُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّمَا الآيَاتُ عِندَ اللّهِ وَمَا يُشْعِرُكُمْ أَنَّهَا إِذَا جَاءتْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ

109. "And they swore by Allah with the strongest of their oaths, that if a sign came to them they would most certainly believe in it. Say: 'Signs are only with Allah '. And what should make you know that when it comes they will not believe? "

Once a group of pagans of the Quraysh2 came to the Prophet (S) and said that he should bring some miracles like those of Moses and Jesus (as), so that they could believe in him. The Messenger of Allah (S) asked them what action he should do.

They answered him hat he should change the Safa mount (located in Mecca) into gold, restore he dead to life, show them the Lord and the angels, and so on. They swore that in that case they would believe.

Gabriel came down and revealed the verse to the Messenger of Allah (S) indicating that miracles are done according to Allah’s Will, not according to their desires.

Moreover, some suggestions that some ignorant people offer are sometimes opposite to human intelligence. It is not such that the world becomes the hall of exhibition and the system of existence changes with the desires of some pagans.

Gabriel brought the divine message to the Holy Prophet (S) indicating that if the Prophet (S) wished, his invitation would be accepted; but if they did not believe in Islam, all of them would be punished seriously and they would be destroyed.

So, if their desires were not performed and they were not paid attention to, they might repent and turn to the right way. Then, the Prophet (S) accepted it too, and the verse was revealed saying:

"And they swore by Allah with the strongest of their oaths, that if a sign came to them they would most certainly believe in it. Say: 'Signs are only with Allah '. And what should make you know that when it comes they will not believe?"

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 110

وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفْئِدَتَهُمْ وَأَبْصَارَهُمْ كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُواْ بِهِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَنَذَرُهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

110. "And (because of pertinacities of infidels) We will turn their hearts and their sights, even as they did not believe in it the first time; and We will leave them in their contumacy wandering blindly."

Here, in this verse, Allah announces that as the retribution of their sin and their wrong conduct, He will derange their sights and their hearts. That is, Allah is cognizant of the secrets of the hearts and the treachery of eyes, and He sees their inward (state) that is opposite to their apparent (aspect).

Allah, the Exalted, knew that there was something in those hearts and eyes that was different from what they claimed. Therefore, if the prophetic miracles that they asked for were performed, they could not believe in him yet. It was similar to the condition of their former people when they did not believe in the verses that were revealed for the first time.

Therefore, they will be left to themselves so that they be entangled with their own sins and disobedience. They will sink in their meanness, and remain bewildered. Hence, as a result of their disobedience, they will be punished in the Hereafter.

"And (because of pertinacities of infidels) We will turn their hearts and their sights, even as they did not believe in it the first time; and We will leave them in their contumacy wandering blindly."

Notes

1. At-Tafsir-ul-Burhan, Vol. 1, PP. 547,548; Tafsir-us-Safi, P. 145; Tafsir. Jawami'-ul-Jami', P. 230; and Nur-uth-Thaqalayn, Vol. 1, P. 754

2. The Quraysh were the noblest tribe of Arabia, the tribe to which the holy Prophet himself (S) belonged. They had the custody of the Ka'bah, the central shrine of Arabia.

Section 12: Every Apostle Had an Enemy

Opposition to the Truth from the polytheists in all ages -Every apostle had an enemy - Polytheism totally opposed to Islam.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 111

وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَلآئِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ الْمَوْتَى وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ قُبُلاً مَّا كَانُواْ لِيُؤْمِنُواْ إِلاَّ أَن يَشَاء اللّهُ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ

111. "And even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We mustered all things before them, (even then) they would not believe, unless Allah pleases; but most of them (deliberately) ignore."

The purpose of these holy verses is to make clear that some of the seekers of surprising miracles are not true in their demands and their aim is not to embrace the Truth. That is why some of their wishes (like that Allah comes in front of them) are basically impossible.

In this verse the Qur'an explicitly says that had their demands been fulfilled in the same form that they wanted, and the angels had been sent down upon them, and the dead had come to speak with them, and in short whatever they had wished were provided for them, even then, they would not believe. Here is the verse:

"And even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We mustered all things before them, (even then) they would not believe....."

Then, to emphasize on the matter, it implies that it is in one case possible that they believe and that is in the case that Allah forces them to accept the Faith by His Sovereign Will:

".... Unless Allah pleases...."

And, it is evident that this sort of Faith will contain no training income and no effect of perfection. So, at the end of the verse, it adds:

".... but most of them (deliberately) ignore."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 112

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نِبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَيَاطِينَ الإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا وَلَوْ شَاء رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ

112. "And thus did We assign for every prophet an enemy, the satans from humans and jinn, who (secretly) inspire each other with flashy words to deceive (them). And had your Lord pleased they would not have done it. (Allah’s way of treatment is freedom of men) therefore, leave them with what they forge."

It was said in the former verses that the hostility of the stubborn enemies against the Holy Prophet (S) was not confined to him alone, but other prophets had such enemies, too. In this verse, it says:

"And thus did We assign for every prophet an enemy, the satans from humans an Jinn…"

And their manner was that they spoke some charming words secretly and occasionally, by whispering to each other, in order to deceive them. The verse says:

".... who (secretly) inspire each other with flashy words to deceive (them)...."

Yet, it should not be made mistake, and if Allah pleased, He could forcefully stop them doing that. The verse says:

"... And had your Lord pleased they would not have done it. ..."

But Allah did not do that because He wished to let people act freely in a scene where they can be tested, improved and trained. Therefore, at the end of the verse, He commands His Messenger that he never pays attention to these followers of Satans and that he leaves both them and their accusations with themselves.

"... (Allah’s way of treatment is freedom of men) therefore, leave them with what they forge."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 113

وَلِتَصْغَى إِلَيْهِ أَفْئِدَةُ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُواْ مَا هُم مُّقْتَرِفُونَ

113. "And (the result of those Satanic inspirations is) so that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, may incline to it, and that they may be well-pleased with it (the flashy words), and that they may commit (the evil) they were committing."

The consequence of the charming suggestions and deceitful preaches of the satans is recited in this verse, as follows:

"And (the result of those Satanic inspirations is) so that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, may incline to it....."

Then, it adds that the end of this inclination will be a complete consent to the Satanic deeds. Here is the verse:

"... and that they may be well-pleased with it (the flashy words)....."

Therefore, the end of them all, in this world, will be committing kinds of sins, indecencies, and vices, and, consequently, they will be involved with the result of the same corruptions people who had been before them in the history of the world.

"... and that they may commit (the evil) they were committing."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 114

أَفَغَيْرَ اللّهِ أَبْتَغِي حَكَمًا وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنَزَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكِتَابَ مُفَصَّلاً وَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ مُنَزَّلٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ

114. "(Say :) 'Shall I seek a judge other than Allah, while it is He Who has sent down to you the Book, (fully) explained? And those whom We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord with the truth, so be not you of the doubters."

In fact, this verse is the conclusion of the previous verses. It indicates that, with all these clear verses which were recited, whom should be accepted as an arbitrator? The verse says:

"(Say:) 'Shall I seek a judge other than Allah....."

This heavenly Book explains all the necessary training facts of man and has separated between right and wrong, light and darkness, and disbelief and Faith; and it is Allah Who has sent it down to you. Concerning this meaning, the Qur'an continues saying:

"... while it is He Who has sent down to you the Book, (fully) explained..."

Then, addressing the Prophet (S), the verse implies that not only he and the Muslims know that this Book is from Allah, but also the people of the Book (The Jews and the Christians), who have seen the Signs of this heavenly Book in their own Books, know that this Book has been sent down from the Lord with the Truth. The verse says:

"... And those whom We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord with the truth....."

Therefore, there is no place of any doubt and hesitation in it, and you, O' Our Messenger, never doubt in it.

"...so be not you of the doubters."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 115

وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلاً لاَّ مُبَدِّلِ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

115. "And perfected is the Word of your Lord in truth and justice; there naught that can change His Words, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

In this verse, The Qur'an, addressing the Prophet (S), indicates that his Lord's Word was completed in truth and justice, so that no one change its containing words, and the Lord is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. The verse says:

"And perfected is the Word of your Lord in truth and justice; there is naught that can change His Words, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."

The objective meaning of the term 'word', mentioned in the above verse, is 'The Qur'an', since in the former verses the subject matter was also recited upon 'The Qur'an'.

Indeed, the verse refers to the fact that there is no doubt about Qur'an, because it is perfect and faultless in any respects. Its facts upon history and its information about events are all true, and its ordinances and laws are utterly just.

Some of the commentators, attaching this verse, have reasoned the impossibility of influencing in perverting the Qur'an.

They say that phrase: "... There is naught that can change His Words ..." points to this fact that nobody is able to cast any change in the Qur'an, neither from point of the Arabic spelling of the words, nor from the point of information of the events, nor from the point of ordinances and laws.

Therefore, this heavenly Book, which must be the guide of humankind until the end of the world, will be secured and protected from the larceny of treacherous persons and distorters.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 116

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلاَّ يَخْرُصُونَ

116. "And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from the way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture; and they do nothing but surmise. "

It was said before that the current Surah was sent down in Mecca. At that time Muslims were intensively in minority.

Concerning this minority and the conclusive majority of idol worshippers and the opponents of Islam, sometimes it might happen that some persons suspected that why there were so many followers of idolatry while that creed was futile and false, and if Muslims were right, why they were so few.

To remove this sort of imagination, the verse addresses the Prophet (S) and says:

"And if you obey most of these in the earth, they will lead you astray from the way of Allah. ..."

In the next sentence of the verse, the Qur'an states the reason of this subject. It points out that the reason of it is that they do not behave upon logic and a correct thought. Their guide is conjecture based on delusion, and some imaginations polluted with low desires, lusts and lies. The verse says:

"... They follow nothing but conjecture; and they do nothing but surmise."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 117

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ مَن يَضِلُّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

117. "Verily your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He (a/so) knows best those who are guided."

In view of the fact that the concept of the previous verse is that mere majority can not show the way of truth and it is not the reason of right, the result of it is that the way of truth should be taken only from the source of Allah, although the followers of truth are in minority.

The Qur'an makes the reason of this matter clear in this verse. It points out that your Lord, Who is aware of all things and there is not the least mistake in His endless knowledge, knows best which way is the way of astray and which way is the way of guidance, and, then, He knows best the misguided and the guided.

The verse says:

"Verily your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He (also) knows best those who are guided."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 118

فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُمْ بِآيَاتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ

118. "Therefore, eat (the meat) of that over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His Signs."

The Effects of Paganism should be removed totally

Through previous verses, the reality of Unity was proved, and the falsehood of paganism and idolatry was made manifest.

One of the results of this question is that Muslims should avoid consuming the meat of the animals slaughtered by the name of idols. They should use only the meat of those animals which are slaughtered by the name of Allah.

Concerning this meaning, the Qur'an says:

"Therefore, eat (the meat) of that over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His Signs."

That is, the Faith is not only a bare claim, a lonely statement, and a simple belief. But it should be proved through practice, too.

The person, who believes in Allah, will consume only these kinds of meat.

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 119

وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلاَّ تَأْكُلُواْ مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلاَّ مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ وَإِنَّ كَثِيراً لَّيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوَائِهِم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُعْتَدِينَ

119. "And what has happened to you that you do not eat (the meat) of that over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, while He has (already) explained for you what He has forbidden unto you, except what you are compelled to (eat)? And indeed many (people) mislead (others) by their desires, without any knowledge. Verily, your Lord knows best the transgressors."

In this verse, the Qur'an says why you do not eat from the meat of those animals over which the name of Allah has been mentioned, while He has detailed for you what has been made unlawful for you. The verse says:

"And what has happened to you that you do not eat (the meat) of that over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, while He has ( already) explained for you what He has forbidden unto you....."

Then, one case has been exceptional from this general law. It says:

"... except what you are compelled to (eat)?..."

This condition may come forth for a person in the desert or in a deserted place because of an intensive hunger or being captured in the grips of some pagans who force the one against this matter.

After that statement, it adds:

"... And indeed many (people) mislead (others) by their desires, without any knowledge. ..."

Then, at the end of the verse, it says that Allah is fully aware and knows best those who are transgressors. These are those who not only go astray from the straight and true path, but also, attaching false proofs, try to mislead others. The verse says:

"... Verily, your Lord knows best the transgressors."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 120

وَذَرُواْ ظَاهِرَ الإِثْمِ وَبَاطِنَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَقْتَرِفُونَ

120. "And abandon outward sin and the inward one; verily those who commit sin soon shall be recompensed with what they used to commit."

Since some people usually commit this unlawful action (fornication) hidden, following that meaning, in this verse, as a general law, the Qur'an says:

"And abandon outward sin and the inward one....."

It is said that at the Age of Ignorance some people believed that fornication was not a vice when it was done secretly, and it was considered a sin when it was committed manifestly.

Even now, in the present century, there are some persons who have practically accepted this logic of the Age of Ignorance, and they fear committing only the outward sins. Such people, having no feeling of incommodity, easily commit some hidden sins. The above-mentioned verse seriously condemns this logic.

Then, as a remembrance, the verse warns the sinners to the evil fate that waits for them, and says:

"... verily those who commit sin soon shall be recompensed with what they used to commit."

Surah Al-‘An’am, Verse 121

وَلاَ تَأْكُلُواْ مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَآئِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ وَإِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ

121. "And do not eat (anything) of that over which Allah’s name has not been mentioned (at the time of slaughter) and that is indeed transgression, and verily the Satans inspire unto their friends to dispute with you, and if you obey them, you will indeed be polytheists, (too)."

This verse emphasizes on the negative aspect of the matter and its concept of prohibition. It says:

"And do not eat (anything) of that over which Allah’s name has not been mentioned (at the time of slaughter)"....

Then, through a short sentence, it negates this action again, and implies that this work is a mischief, a sin, and going out from the path and manner of servitude of Allah and obeying His commandment. It says:

"…and that is indeed transgression…"

And, in order that some simple hearted Muslims would not be affected by their satanic temptations, it adds:

".... and verily the Satans inspire unto their friends to dispute with you....."

But, beware that if you submit to their temptations, you will be counted among pagans, too. The verse says:

".... and if you obey them, you will indeed be polytheists, (too)."

This dispute and temptation may refer to that very logic that pagans inspired unto each other. They said that they ate the meat of the dead animals because the Lord had slaughtered them. That is, if they do not eat the meat of carrions, it is a kind of heedlessness to the deed of Allah.

Some commentators have said that pagans of Arab had learnt it from Zoroastrians. Pagans were inattentive of the fact that the head of whatever dies naturally, besides that it often dies because of a disease, has not been cut, and, therefore, the dirty blood of its body has remained among the levels of its meat. This blood decays thereafter, and surely pollutes the meat, too.