Surah Al-Ma'idah
المائدة
The Table Spread
120
Medinan
Surah 5 of 114
Overview
Surah Al-Ma'idah is the fifth chapter of the Quran with 120 verses. It is one of the last surahs to be revealed in Madinah and contains the famous verse declaring the completion and perfection of the religion of Islam.
Themes
The surah addresses the fulfillment of contracts and obligations, dietary laws (halal and haram), the story of the two sons of Adam (Habil and Qabil), the covenant with the Children of Israel, the mission of Prophet Isa and the table spread from heaven, and the completion of the Islamic faith. It also covers laws of criminal justice and the prohibition of intoxicants and gambling.
Significance
This surah contains verse 5:3, which was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage: "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." Umar ibn al-Khattab wept when this verse was revealed, recognizing it signaled the approaching end of the Prophet's mission.
Key Themes
Key Verses
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
— Al-Ma'idah 5:3
مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
“Whoever kills a soul — unless for a soul or for corruption in the land — it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.”
— Al-Ma'idah 5:32
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ
“O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice.”
— Al-Ma'idah 5:8
Lessons
- Fulfilling covenants and promises is a fundamental Islamic obligation.
- The sanctity of human life is paramount in Islam.
- Islam was perfected and completed as a religion.
- Justice must not be compromised by personal hatred.
- Intoxicants and gambling are tools of Satan to create enmity.