Surah Al-Maidah, meaning 'The Table Spread,' is the fifth chapter of the Quran with 120 verses. This Medinan surah is named after the miraculous table that the disciples of Isa (Jesus) requested from Allah. It contains the famous verse declaring the completion of Islam as a religion and covers essential topics including dietary laws, legal punishments, interfaith relations, and the covenant between Allah and humanity.
Surah Al-Maidah was among the last surahs to be revealed, with much of it revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage in the 10th year of Hijra. The famous verse 'Today I have perfected your religion for you' (5:3) was revealed on the Day of Arafat during the Prophet's final pilgrimage, marking the completion of Islamic guidance. This timing makes it one of the final legislative pronouncements in the Quran.
Major themes include the fulfillment of covenants and promises, detailed dietary laws distinguishing halal from haram, legal punishments for major crimes, guidelines for dealing with People of the Book (Christians and Jews), the story of Cain and Abel, and Jesus's miracle of the heavenly table. The surah emphasizes justice, accountability, and the completion of divine guidance through Islam.
Reciting Surah Al-Maidah increases awareness of halal and haram, strengthens commitment to Islamic values, and reminds believers of their covenant with Allah. Since it contains the verse about the completion of Islam, its recitation reinforces gratitude for the complete guidance provided through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and increases dedication to following Islamic principles.
Style: Murattal
Saud Al-Shuraim is a former imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca. His distinctive, heartfelt recitation style is cherished by many.
The table spread refers to a miraculous meal that the disciples of Isa (Jesus) requested from Allah as a sign. This miracle demonstrated Allah's power and served as a test of faith. The disciples asked for this sign to strengthen their belief, and Allah granted it while warning them of severe punishment if they disbelieved after witnessing such a clear miracle.
Verse 3 of Surah Al-Maidah contains the famous declaration: 'Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.' This verse was revealed during the Prophet's Farewell Pilgrimage, marking the completion of Islamic guidance.
The surah clearly defines what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) in food, including the prohibition of pork, blood, meat from animals that died naturally, and those sacrificed to idols. It also permits food from the People of the Book and establishes hunting regulations, making it a comprehensive guide for Islamic dietary practices.
The surah provides guidance on dealing with People of the Book (Christians and Jews), allowing Muslim men to marry their chaste women and eat their food. However, it also criticizes deviations in their religious practices and calls them to return to pure monotheism while maintaining respectful dialogue.
The story of Cain (Qabil) and Abel (Habil) teaches about the consequences of jealousy, injustice, and murder. When Cain killed his brother out of envy, Allah sent a crow to show him how to bury the body, leading to his remorse. The surah establishes that killing one innocent person is like killing all humanity.
Al-Ma'idah