TABLE OF CONTENTS

       Preface

       Introduction

Chapter 5   Surah Al-Maidah (The Repast)

Chapter 5   Verses (Total number of Verses 120)

       Key Concepts in Surah Al-Maidah (The Repast)

Chapter 6   Surah Al-Anam (The Cattle)

Chapter 6   Verses (Total number of Verses 165)

       Key Concepts in Surah Al-Anam (The Cattle)

Chapter 7   Surah Al-Araf (The Elevation)

Chapter 7   Verses (Total number of Verses 206)

       Key Concepts in Surah Al-Araf (The Elevation)

                  Glossary of Key Arabic Terms

      Appendix: The Five Pillars of Faith

The external history of a religious tradition often seems divorced from the raison d’etre of faith. The spiritual quest is an interior journey; it is psychic rather than a political drama. It is preoccupied with …

The Structure of the Book

This book (volume 3), as well as volumes 1 and 2, is presented as a series of discussions in a conversational style. It takes one or several verses from each chapter (surah) in sequence and attempts to provide…

THIS SURAH TAKES ITS NAME from a special supplication that the disciples of Jesus requested him to make to God to provide them with repast from Heaven (5:112–114) to comfort their souls and to reinforce their …

O People of Faith, be faithful to your covenants. Lawful to you are all beasts similar to cattle, except any specific mentions (as unacceptable), and do not hunt when you are in the state of pilgrimage. God …

They ask you about what is lawful. Say: “All things good and pure are lawful.” With respect to hunting animals that you teach how to hunt with knowledge that God has imparted on you, eat what they hunt for you, but do …

Remind yourself of God’s (constant) favors and blessings on you and of the pledge with which He commits you when you said: “We hear and we commit.” (Therefore) Keep your duty to God (and to fellow human …

God made a similar covenant with the Children of Israel, and He caused twelve of their leaders to be sent (to search the land of Canaan). God said to them: “I am with you. If you sustain your worship (of Me), share your …

Those who say God is the Christ, Son of Mary are indeed deniers of God. Say (to them): “Who will prevail …

(Remember when) Moses said to His people: “O my people, remind yourself of the favors of God Who raised prophets from among you and who gave you control over yourselves and (blessings) that were not given to …

The only punishment befitting those who engage in war against God and His apostles (against truth and justice) and make mischief and widespread corruption on earth (i.e., killing, oppression, destruction of …

As for those men and women who persist in theft (of common good or public good), cut off their hands as a punishment and as an exemplary punishment from God (as a deterrent—only after proper judgment and …

We (God) indeed revealed the Torah containing guidance and light (knowledge), by which prophets, who submitted (to God), rendered judgment for the followers of Jewish faith; as did the rabbis and the …

O People of Faith: Do not take Jews and Christians (as relevant to Prophet’s generation) into your confidence; they are friends of each other. If you do that, then you become like them, and God does not guide people who …

O People of the Book (Jews, Christians and other people of faith): What fault do you find with us other than that we believe in God, in what has been revealed to us, and in what has been revealed before (to you all), while …

O Apostle: Convey the message that has been revealed to you by your Sustainer. If you do not do so (in its totality), then you have not delivered the message. (Rest assured that) God will protect you from people (who …

It is a confirmation of disbelief (in God) for those who say: “God is the Christ, Son of Mary,” whereas Christ himself said: “O Children of Israel, Serve God, who is my Sustainer and your Sustainer.” Whoever associates …

When they (the Christians mentioned in the previous verse) come to understand what has been revealed to the Messenger (Prophet Mohammad), they are overwhelmed (with emotion and) tears in their eyes as they …

O People of Faith: Do not deprive yourself of all that God has gifted you of good things, but stay within limits of its use (consumption, extraction, accumulation, etc.). Surely God loves not those who exceed limits. Benefit …

O People of Faith: God will certainly try you with respect to game (of hunt during pilgrimage) that comes within your reach and your weapons so that God can ascertain who is conscious of Him unseen. Whoever …