Surah 5: Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread)

Lore & Background

The sampled passages show Surah 5 addressing the relationship between the Muslim community and the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians). It permits Muslims to eat the food of the People of the Scripture and to marry their chaste women (Surah 5:5), while also criticizing them for breaking covenants, distorting scripture, and taking religion in ridicule (Surah 5:13, Surah 5:57). The sura explicitly rejects Christian claims that Allah is Christ or part of a Trinity, calling such beliefs disbelief (Surah 5:17, Surah 5:73).

Reader's Guide

The sura portrays a complex relationship with the People of the Scripture. On one hand, it grants them certain privileges: their food is lawful for Muslims, and marriage to their chaste women is permitted (Surah 5:5). It also holds out hope that if they believed and feared Allah, their misdeeds would be removed (Surah 5:65), and it states that believing Jews, Sabeans, and Christians who believe in Allah and the Last Day and do righteousness will have no fear (Surah 5:69). On the other hand, the sura repeatedly warns against taking them as allies (Surah 5:57, Surah 5:81), accuses them of distorting words and breaking covenants (Surah 5:13, Surah 5:41), and condemns those who say Allah is Christ or part of a Trinity (Surah 5:17, Surah 5:73). The sura also prescribes severe penalties for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger (Surah 5:33) and provides legal rulings on retaliation, oaths, and dietary restrictions (Surah 5:45, Surah 5:89).

Did You Know?

• The sura permits marriage to chaste women from the People of the Scripture (Surah 5:5).
• It explicitly denies the divinity of Christ and the Trinity, calling such beliefs disbelief (Surah 5:17, Surah 5:73).
• The penalty for waging war against Allah and His Messenger includes crucifixion or exile (Surah 5:33).
• The sura states that Jews and Christians who believe in Allah and the Last Day and do righteousness will not fear (Surah 5:69).