Translation
Say: “Based on what has been revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden to eat for anyone desiring to eat except what died of itself, blood poured forth, or flesh of swine—these being filthy [undesirable]—or where a transgression has occurred by blessing a slaughter with a name other than God’s. But if someone is driven by necessity—neither desiring it nor consuming more than his immediate needs, then he will find his Sustainer Forgiving and Merciful.” As for the followers of the Jewish faith, We [God] prohibited animals with claws, oxen and sheep (Leviticus 7:23), and all their fats except what is on their backs or in the intestines or internal organs or what is inside the bones—these restrictions are a form of punishment for their continued rebellion; indeed We [God] speak the truth. Therefore, if they deny you, say: “Your Sustainer is expansive in His mercy, but for those who persist in sinful acts, their negative consequences, as prescribed by God, cannot be avoided.”
Those who are Polytheists say: “If God had willed, we would not have set up partners to God, nor our forefathers, nor we would have prohibited things that are allowed (by God).” Similar was the behavior of those before them until the evil consequences, as prescribed by God, touched them. Say: “Do you have any documented sources that you can produce before us? (Perhaps) you follow conjectures and are telling lies.” Say: “With God rests the final evidence to truth. If He willed, we all would have been guided (to the truth).” Ask them: “Bring your witness regarding such prohibition.” Even if they bear witness, you should stay away from such witnesses and never follow the unworthy desires of those who reject God’s messages, have no conviction in the Afterlife, and regard others as equal with God, their Sustainer. 354
Say: “Come and let me convey what God has forbidden: Assign no partner to God, and be good to your parents; do not kill your children for fear of poverty—God provides for you and for them; do not get close to anything shameful—openly or in secret; do not take a human life that God has made sacred, except for reason of justice. These He directs you to so that you will have a better understanding.” Do not touch the property of orphans except with the best of intentions; wait until they attain maturity, and then give what is due and be equitable; We (God) never impose a burden on anyone except what s/he can bear. When you speak, speak the truth and be just, even if it goes against those with whom you have relationships with. Fulfill your covenant with God. These, again He directs you to so that you will become conscious and mindful.
These are the directives to the Straight Path (to God)—stay on this path, and do not follow other ways that might lead you away (from God). Such are God’s directives so that you become responsible and fulfill your obligations. 355
Interpretation
354 Dietary prohibitions are relatively few in Islam—primarily against pork, alcohol/drugs, carrion, blood, and any slaughter on which a name other than God’s has been pronounced. On another level, the Qur’an declares that anything and everything that is wholesome, other than these explicit prohibitions, is allowed. It also allows the food of the People of the Book (Jews, Christians, and others who follow Books of Revelations) to be acceptable to Muslims, since they also believe in the same God and use God’s name in their slaughter of animals. For all our consumption needs, which consist of drinks, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat, these limited restrictions are minor and should impose no undue burden on anyone. We should rejoice and be thankful for all the variety and tasty food options God has created without our asking for it. We need to preserve the quality and purity of these food ingredients, especially in our commercial food production, where we use pesticides and other chemical-based fertilizers; on store shelf, fast food and other ready-made food, which has other chemical preservatives, additives, and excesses of sugar and salt; not to mention the risk of genetic manipulation without adequate testing, evaluation, and monitoring against greedy commercial and business interests.
355 On a spiritual, moral, and ethical level, the restrictions are also few, but overarching that are the requirements of careful understanding, conscious awareness, and a full commitment to follow through even if it means going against oneself or one’s relations. Prohibitions included here are
· any partnership to God or assigning divinity to any creation of God,
· the killing of children for fear of poverty or gender bias,
· the killing of any innocent human being of any faith or no faith, except for just cause as permitted by God, and
· any shameful acts or conduct (adultery or fornication, bestiality, pornography, torture, oppression, racism, gender bias, insult, altercation, aggression, oppression, violence, religious persecution, ethnic cleansing, hoarding, excessive profiteering, mischief, corruption, lying, cheating, bullying, stealing, robbery, etc.) done in secret or openly.
In the same vein, God warns us against any unlawful way of confiscating and consuming others’ properties, especially those who are vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. There is also the strong injunction to always speak the truth, since lying is the source of all major sins and shameful acts. For every action that we take, we need to ask three core questions:
· What is my intention for this act?
· What are the spiritual, moral, ethical and legal boundaries applicable for this act?
· What is the consequence of this act in this world and in the Afterlife?
***
REFLECTION
Attention is drawn for each one of us to think; be consciously aware; commit to doing good; and stay away from all evils, injustices, shameful acts, and limited prohibitions for animal-based food. Undue preoccupation with dietary restrictions and imposing unnecessary restrictions by some religious clerics and scholars is unwarranted, and their total negligence and ignorance on issues around food quality, genetic manipulation, chemical toxins that are causing havoc with human health and environmental pollution, and social injustices and corruptions are disappointing, to say the least.
ACTION
We all have a human responsibility and a commitment to our covenant with God to follow the guidance given in these verses. Honest adherence to these basic guidelines is more than adequate to create peace and empowerment for human societies.