Surah : 5 - Al-Maidah [1-5]

Surah : 5 - Al-Maidah - The phenomena in which intellectual abilities are shaken up and become larger or more extensive.


The popular notion of "divine cuisine" coming from the heaven is a fanciful concept nurtured in many religions. In the correct Quranic context Al-Maidah is a phenomenal moment of great significance where intellectual capacities are shaken up to make way for the thought process to expand and further open to the benefits from the higher consciousness [السَّمَاءِ]. Simultaneously the food of thoughts are spread over or conferred from the higher consciousness [السَّمَاءِ] upon us, which satisfies our intellect [قُلُوبُنَا] and it has the provision for growth/development of the person [5:112-113]. 

مَآئِدَةً - The root word of Maidah is م ي د - in the literal classical sense it is a state of violent motion or convulsion in the mind or body or field or as occurs in volcano eruption. In the contextual sense of the verse it is an eruption of one's thought process. One of the derivative of maidah is ميدان - which means vast arena for horse & chariot races; a place where intense physical action takes place. In Quranic sense, Al-Maidah is a process of agitation or a state of confoundment within us for the purpose of expansion of our sensible faculties to receive benefits and reach the ultimate platform of self acquired intelligence. This extreme explosion of thought process is similar to the evolution or birth of Isa Ibn Maryam, which is similar to that of Adam who lived in Jannah. Maidah can also be seen as vast eruption of thoughts after Self-Realization of our own script. In contextual example of the language, earth tilting is called ميد أرضي, to shake is تَمِيدَ, in legal terms high interest is called مائدة مرتفعة, in geographical term it is called مائدة بحرية - guyot [underwater volcano mountain]


The parable of Adam [mankind] show us that he gradually forgot what was taught to him by his system of consciousness [Allah] now it is up to him to recall / remember [zikr] through the process of connection [salat] and revert back to the original state of Adam and reclaim the lost Jannah [Hidden garden of knowledge]. Note the book Quran is also called Al-Zikr which is about the internal journey [isra] of remembrance of what Adam was taught before he forgot. The deep thinkers [bani Israel] among Adam can reach the evolutionary stage of Isa Ibn Maryam with remembrance and the urge to seek knowledge. That's the reason Quran specifically compares that evolution of Isa ibn Maryam is like Adam. We just have to carefully unwind the layers which Adam smeared upon himself and try reach the coveted pure state of Isa Ibn Maryam. When one reaches the state of Isa Ibn Maryam, he is always supported with pure spirit [Ruhul Qudus]; that is we are entitled for the revelation from the consciousness [Rabb] [16:102].


3:59 إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِندَ اللّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ


Indeed, the example of Isa near Allah is like that of Adam. He evolved Him from turaab; then He said to him, "Be," so he becomes.


The instructions in the book Quran is addressed to those who take heed, although its healing abilities is applicable to entire mankind. This chapter starts with يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ which is addressed specifically to those who want to transform themselves and experience safety, security, peace and soundness of mind. This important call is to achieve inner peace, safety and security for individuals. Experiencing or enjoying safety, security, soundness and peace is the main topic of the book Quran. How to achieve that peace and soundness of mind [Islam] is explained from verse 1- 3 of this very important chapter. The wonderful message of the Quran has nothing to do with eating habits or sacrificing of cattle or any sacred month, or sacred house as portrayed by our traditional interpreters in the first 3 verses of surah Maidah. It is utter stupidity to think that achieving Islam [Inner Peace and soundness] is based on eating or sacrificing of particular cattles and performing Hajj rites around the rectangular brick structure at Mecca. 

I am emphasizing on peace, security, safety and soundness for the self because the word Momin and Muslim are form IV verbal nouns which is used all over the Quran for self transformation. For example, from agitated state to the state of peace, security and soundness. I am always highlighting this FORM IV verb because of its importance. This form has the meaning of : - He made himself do or perform an action. A reflexive causative, i.e. he made himself do something to transform a place or a state. Whenever any action occurs or caused by the efforts of self and makes an impact on self or transforms the self and experienced by the self, it is then that a FORM IV verb is used.

Whenever Quran addresses in this style [يَا أَيُّهَا] it is specifically addressed to different characters or senses or potentials present within all human beings whose senses are alive and can take heed or pay attention and follow instructions. The vocative particle يا is never used for addressing past or invalid signs, dead inhabitants or inactive characters. When Quran addresses يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ or يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ or يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ  or يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ or يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ or يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ it appeals to the specific nature active in the entire humans being and not just one person or some individuals of the past. The address is to all the characters of the inherent script who are active and not dormant. The features of the script of Quran is dialogue based which sincerely appeals to its audience to experience the characters of the manuscript conversing within their own selves. This is the reason why the book Quran is termed as Qaul e Rasul لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ 74:25,69:40,81:19 - Actually it is calling of our inherent senses [أَبَشَرٌ] to wake up and get ready to activate and operate the machine called Adam to its optimum limits.

The main theme of surah Al-Maidah is inherent Rasul [inner voice  / messenger/ warner/ guide/leader]. Momin is one who experience /enjoy safety and security within his own self - Ahle Kitab are those who are familiar or follow the script /يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ .The Quran in surah Al-Maidah 5:15 addresses “O those follow the script [ahle kitab]! Indeed Our Messenger / Rasul [inherent sense] has ensued to you, making clear for you most of what you yourself did not understood from the script and continuously erasing much; Indeed, there has ensued to you a light [Nur] and a clear script from system of consciousness [Allah]” [5:15]. These words refer to the embedded script [Al-Kitab] being the beacon of light in every human being. 


1. Surah 5 is the only chapter of the Quran which mentions how the perfection of Deen e Islam [state of peace] can be achieved [5:1-3]. During the process to achieve inner peace and soundness, many negative thoughts that want to gatecrash in our mind needs to be restricted or prohibited from entering in us and positive thoughts that solve the problems are called sacred or inviolable thoughts which are to be developed and entertained.


2. Surah 5 has two calls to the inherent rasul in us (5/41 and 5/67). This is not present in any other chapter. This shows the centrality and importance of the role of inherent voices of rasuls in leading us to the state of Momin [one who enjoys the experience of transformation to safety/security/peace of mind]. After each of these calls to the rasul, there are successive calls to Momins (in 5/51, 5/54, 5/57 followed by calls after the second call to the rasul in 5/87, 5/90, 5/94, 5/95, 5/101, 5/105, 5/106). These calls represent stages or aspects of action in order to realise the system of the innate rasul in two successive stages (those of 5/41 and 5/67).


3. Surah 5 is the only chapter where Isa ibn Maryam is mentioned 6 times and the word 'ḥawāriyīna’ [الْحَوَارِيِّينَ] relates to the thoughts which helps in returning back to the original state. The parable of Isa Ibn Maryam symbolizes the system of consciousness is the protector of the intellectual merits [اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ] if we are true seeker of knowledge. The submission to peace and soundness [Islam] as the only way of life 5/3. In this perfection, the needs for self-actualization of all human beings are met and he/she is on course for the right judgment from Allah [our system of consciousness].



4. I have always emphasized that the main purpose of Quran is to help people understand the various thoughts and feelings that influence their consequent behaviors. But agonizingly our "eminent scholars" have devastated this amazing instructions of the Wise Book into book of mindless, stories, rituals, beliefs and laws. They have turned this marvelous book into an ordinary book of selected quotations, topics of what to eat or what not to eat from the cattle, dress code for women, Marriage, Divorce, inheritance law, criminal / society laws, practice of ritual worship, heaven, hell etc. We accept such nonsense as we are conditioned from a very early stage of life to listen and follow such fanciful dictum that defies logic and promote wishful thinking. No wonder why the plight of the followers of this amazing book is in a dilapidated condition because they convincingly live in an utopian world controlled by unrealistic and superficial beliefs.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

Contextual Translation: 

5:1يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَوْفُواْ بِالْعُقُودِ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ الْأَنْعَامِ إِلاَّ مَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ إِنَّ اللّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ

O You who aspire to be transformed to tranquility/safety/security of mind [آمَنُواْ], they must be loyal [أَوْفُواْ] with the determination [in the mind بِالْعُقُودِ]. Solving / analyzing a problem [أُحِلَّتْ] is the relaxed [الْأَنْعَامِ] process / efforts / engagement towards doing the task which is not clear difficult [بَهِيمَةُ] provided what is easily followed [يُتْلَى] by you, it will be of no use getting it solved/analyzed [مُحِلِّي] while you are still entrapped [الصَّيْدِ] in sacredness [حُرُمٌ]. Indeed the system of consciousness [Allah] is wise of Judge / Ruler, does what He deems fit.

5:2 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُحِلُّواْ شَعَآئِرَ اللّهِ وَلاَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلاَ الْهَدْيَ وَلاَ الْقَلآئِدَ وَلاَ آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُواْ وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْـبِـرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

O those who want to transformed to tranquility/safety/security will never untie / let go / loose [تُحِلُّواْ] feelings [شَعَآئِرَ ] of the system of consciousness [Allah], nor the enshrined manifestation [الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ], nor about the inner guidance [الْهَدْيَ], nor about the principles [الْقَلآئِدَ], nor from the inner correction mechanism [آمِّينَ] of the enshrined house of thoughts [الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ], seeking the preference [فَضْلاً] from their Consciousness [رَّبِّهِمْ]. And when you have clearly resolved [حَلَلْتُمْ], you can hold /grasp / control [فَاصْطَادُواْ] and let not the state of hatred [شَنَآنُ] cut you [يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ] from inherent seat of group of thoughts [قَوْمٍ] that they turned you away from the state of enshrined humbleness [الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ] that lead you to transgression [تَعْتَدُواْ]; so help one another with affection [الْـبِـرِّ] and the diligence [التَّقْوَى], but help you not one another in unlawfulness [الْإِثْمِ] and rancour [الْعُدْوَانِ] and be diligent of the system of consciousness [Allah], indeed for Allah is strict in succeeding consequences [الْعِقَابِ].

5:3 حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالْدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلاَّ مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُواْ بِالْأَزْلاَمِ ذَلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلاَ تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Restricted / forbidden upon you is the process of destitute thoughts [الْمَيْتَةُ] and the bloody/cruel thoughts [الْدَّمُ], and the self knitted / sowed magnifying thoughts [لَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ], and what alters the amicability of the system of consciousness [لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ] with it, and the thoughts which suffocates [الْمُنْخَنِقَةُ], and that which hurts the brain [الْمَوْقُوذَةُ], and the process of destructive thoughts [الْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ], and the thought process which leads to argument [النَّطِيحَةُ], and what consumes / overcrowds the intelligence [أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ], except what you understand by your own mind [ذَكَّيْتُمْ], and what is clearly distinguishable / marked / assigned [النُّصُبِ], and that you need to cut with the proportion / conformation [بِالْأَزْلاَمِ], that's the way to feel relinquished [فِسْقٌ]. The moment of despair [يَئِسَ] is for those who are ignorant / arrogant / pride / does not understand the facts [كَفَرُواْ] from your way of life [دِينِكُمْ], so do not fear them (thoughts), and fear Me, today I completed for you your way of life [دِينَكُمْ], and I completed on you My Composure [نِعْمَتِي],and I accepted / approved for you the inner peace [الْإِسْلاَمَ] as the way of life [دِينًا], but whoever forced [اضْطُرَّ] in the due process of hunger / craving for desire [مَخْمَصَةٍ], by inclining wrongfully towards [مُتَجَانِفٍ] unlawfulness / disobedience [لِّإِثْمٍ], then indeed system of consciousness [Allah] was / is Protector [غَفُورٌ], Merciful Nourisher [رَّحِيمٌ ].

5:4 يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللّهُ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

They (your own thoughts) always ask you, what has been made lawful/permissible [أُحِلَّ] for them. Say, "Lawful for you are all the good thoughts [الطَّيِّبَاتُ] and what you have been taught [عَلَّمْتُم] from the impressive / effective [الْجَوَارِحِ] words of well know significance [مُكَلِّبِينَ], you teach them from what has been taught to you by the system of consciousness [اللّهُ]. So use your intelligence [فَكُلُواْ] from what is retained / grasped / griped [ أَمْسَكْنَ] over / upon you, and recall, identify the system of consciousness [Allah] upon it, and be mindful / diligent of the system of consciousness [Allah]." Indeed, Allah [system of consciousness] is the Swift Reckoner.

5:5 الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

At this moment / stage it is made permissible [أُحِلَّ] for you all good thoughts [الطَّيِّبَاتُ] as education / nourishment [طَعَامُ] to those that produce / give rise to [أُوتُواْ] the script [الْكِتَابَ], permissible for you and your state of nourishment / education [طَعَامُكُمْ] is permissible for them. And the chaste thoughts [الْمُحْصَنَاتُ] are from feeling of safety / security [الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ] and chaste thoughts from those who produce / generate / give rise to the script [الْكِتَابَ] from acceptance of you [قَبْلِكُمْ], when you have given them their due reward [أُجُورَهُنَّ], desiring chastity, not thoughts poured out in emotions [مُسَافِحِينَ] nor those [thoughts] that posses the art of enticing [ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ]. And whoever is ignorant or not open / not honest [يَكْفُرْ] with the trustworthy thoughts [بِالْإِيمَانِ] - then surely his work has become worthless, and he in the procrastination process [الْآخِرَةِ] will be among the losers.

EXPLANATION OF VERSE 1- 5 :

The book Quran is about attaining peace and soundness in self [ISLAM] - It has nothing to do with cultural regulations. Eating habits, dress code, rituals, customs and calendars, these are influenced by societies in which we live; the Quran unique book that has nothing to do with it.

(1) First verse addresses to those who sincerely want to tread the path of peace and security and it is not easy unless you are determination in the mind. You won't be able to solve any problem if your mind is entrapped in sacredness or restrictions. Do whatever is easy to follow; your own system of consciousness [Allah] is the best Judge.

(2) Don’t lose that feeling of the inner guidance nor the beliefs nor about sacred manifestation directing it course from the sacred house of thoughts. The true preference / access from the Consciousness is through analyzing and solving the problem in a right way rather solely depending on our instinct. Arrogant or hateful behavior disturbs the soundness of inner configuration and diverts you away from the enshrined state of humbleness. Hate, rancor and transgression is the enemy of inner peace and soundness. So be careful, take precaution if you want that your system of consciousness does not punish you.

(3)  Strict instructions are given not to allow thoughts which are extremely poor and lacking the means to provide progressive thinking, the thoughts which leads to bloodshed, the thoughts which leads to haughtiness, the thoughts which suffocates the thinking, which hurts the brain, the destructive thoughts, the thoughts which provokes you to debate unnecessarily, and the thoughts which drains the congregated intelligence by consuming too much of your energy, except that thoughts which are understood by your own mind from self study, which can be clearly distinguish and need to proportionately separate what is right / wrong,that's the way to relinquish the potential pressure. The moment of despair are for those who are ignorant / arrogant of their thought process of accepting or yielding to better quality of thoughts. So there is nothing to fear if you submit to these guidelines which one has to follow to experience peace [ISLAM], soundness and tranquility in life, if following the guidelines someone becomes weak then the system of consciousness is protector of intellectual providence -  [اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ] 

(4)  It is natural that questions always linger over one's mind about list of do's and don't. The book Quran says inform them that all good thoughts are permissible and what has been indoctrinated should be annulled. Teach them from what the system of your consciousness has taught you. Use you intelligence, understand and retain it in your memory, take precautions, be diligent of the system of consciousness and note the system of consciousness reckons everything. 

(5) Those who understands their own inherent script [Al-Kitab], know very well what thoughts are to be nourished and educated. The thoughts are the producer of your script and it becomes your script only because of your acceptance. The thoughts should be given their due worth because the script is the by product of your own thought process. Thoughts poured out in emotions or influence by others does not count as the script of your life. One should trust his good thoughts otherwise all his deeds will be waste and he will be loser in the procrastination process.      

The verse 5:6 is not about cleaning the parts of the body before Salat but cleaning your nafs before the connection [salat] with our Rabb [System of Consciousness] in order to achieve Peace / Islam the main topic of these context and the entire Quran... to be continued