المائدة
Al Maidah
Verses
120
Revelation
Madani
Period
Late Madinan
Surah No.
5 / 114
Al-Ma'idah is among the last major surahs to be revealed and contains some of the final legislative rulings of Islam. It addresses dietary laws, the sanctity of covenants and contracts, relations with the People of the Book, legal punishments (hudud), ablution, and the prohibition of intoxicants. The title refers to the table spread with food that Jesus's disciples requested from Allah as a miracle.
أسباب النزول
This surah was largely revealed during the final years of the Prophet's life in Madinah. The verse on the completion of religion (5:3) was revealed at the Farewell Pilgrimage on the Day of Arafah. Several verses address the treaty obligations with non-Muslim groups and incidents of betrayal. Verse 33 on legal punishments was revealed when members of the Urayna tribe murdered a Muslim shepherd after receiving medical treatment from the Prophet.
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
Revealed on the Day of Arafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage. When Umar heard this verse, he wept, understanding that the completion of revelation signalled the approaching end of the Prophet's earthly life.
“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption done in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.”
This verse, originally stated to the Children of Israel, was revealed to affirm the sanctity of human life in Islam and to respond to acts of violence in Madinah.
Imam Malik preferred for Al-Ma'idah to be recited in full during the Witr prayer because it contains the final rulings of the Quran that must not be abrogated or forgotten.