3. Allâh tells man that he should never attempt to foretell the future by means of omens and other means of divining because such acts are the practice of sinners. All good and evil are in Allâh’s control. Allâh tells the Muslims that they should have firm faith in their Dîn of Islâm which Allâh has perfected, thereby completing His enormous bounty on them. Therefore, Muslims should uphold the sanctity of Islâmic injunctions and critically distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful. Muslims are enjoined to abstain from evil and to be grateful.

Sûrah Mâ’idah contains laws that relate to man’s religious, civil, social and political life. This Sûrah contains detailed guidance about:

· The etiquette of the Hajj journey

· Revering the landmarks of Dîn

· The perimeters of Halâl and Harâm

· Marriage and interaction with the Ahlul Kitâb [Jews and Christians]

· The laws of Wudhu, Ghusl and Tayammum

· Dealing with rebellion

· The punishment for robbery and theft

· The prohibition of liquor and gambling

· The Kafâra [atonement] for breaking vows and

· The detailed laws concerning testimony

Allâh ordains that the hand of a male or female thief is to be cut off. The Muslims are also warned against taking the Jews and Christians as friends. Allâh makes it clear that the belief in the ‘Trinity’ constitutes kufr and that enmity and hatred for the Muslims have been entrenched into the hearts of the Kuffâr until Qiyâmah.

Allâh entreats Rasulullâh Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, not to be grieved about the disbelief of the Kuffâr because he is not responsible for them. Sûrah Mâ’idah also states that Jannah is forbidden for the Mushrikîn and that oppressors will have none to aid them against Allâh. Allâh says that those people of the past who adhered to the divine religions of their times will attain salvation if they firmly believed in Allâh and in the Day of Qiyâmah.

End of the Sixth Juz

Beginning of the Seventh Juz

Allâh also draws man’s attention to the fact that the person who forbids something that Allâh has permitted will be guilty of following his carnal desires [his nafs] instead of Allâh’s injunctions. An example of this is the concept of monasticism that the Christians devised by which they would totally forsake the world and forbid themselves Halâl pleasures. This concept is incorrect and impermissible.

Allâh also reminds the Mu’minîn that they will be taken to task for every oath that they fail to fulfil. The Kafâra [atonement] for breaching such a promise is that a person should either feed ten poor people, clothe them, set a slave free or fast for three days. Allâh also urges Muslims not to take intoxicants, not to gamble and not to divine the future. Allâh declares these acts to be Harâm (temptations) of Shaytân.

Sûrah Mâ’idah mentions how Allâh will question every Nabî about his nation. They will declare that they only did as they were told and that Allâh alone knows the reality of all hidden matters. The Sûrah also mentions the penalty for hunting an animal while in the state of Ihrâm. Of course, every such situation has its own unique set of circumstances, which will necessitate a unique ruling. These matters should be referred to the men of knowledge.