Surah Maidah

Features Surah Maidah

It was revealed in Madina shortly after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah may be at the end of the 6 A.H or at the beginning of 7 A.
H.
In Zil-Qaadah 6 A.
H Prophet Muhammad with 1400 Muslims decided to go to Mecca for visiting Kaaba.
The Meccans did not allow them to enter the city.
The companions of the prophet were extremely angry over this.
As per old tribal customs, it never happened, and no-one can stop even their enemies and rivals from visiting the Kaaba.
After much exchange of correspondence, they entered in a treaty by which it was agreed that the Muslims could visit Kaaba the following year.
This treaty gave Muslims a chance of Propagating their message to people around.
At the time of treaty, the companions of Prophet were thinking it as their defeat but it was actually a blessing in disguise as this treaty not only gave them peace from the attacks of Meccans but an opportunity to spread the message of Islam even outside Arabia.
That is why this the time when Prophet Muhammad wrote letters to the rulers of surrounding kingdoms inviting them towards Islam.This Surah revealed at a period which is different from that of Surah Baqarah, Ale Imran and Nisa as now Muslims have become a stable community and a visible power of Arab.
They have already uprooted the conspiracies of neighboring Jews tribes and not only came out of the loss they received in the battle of Uhad but also successfully handled the last effort of Meccans who attacked in 5 A.H along with all the joint forces of neighboring Arab tribes in the Battle of Ahzab.
Islam was no longer just an ideology but has become a way of living and a State which governed over every aspect of the life of the people.
Laws and rules for every dimension of Muslim life had already been formulated in previous Surahs.In Bukhari Narrated by Umar bin Khattab: Once a Jew said to me, “O the chief of believers!
There is a verse in your Holy Book Which is read by all of you, and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed as a day of celebration” Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, “Which is that verse?” The Jew replied, “This day I have perfected your religion For you, completed My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (5:3) Umar replied, “No doubt, we know when and where this verse was revealed to the Prophet.
It was Friday and the Prophet was standing at Arafat (i.e.
the Day of Hajj)”MAJOR POINTS: Major points discussed in this Surah are fulfilments of promises and pledges, cleanness of body and soul, Justice and living a righteous life.
Because of its connection with the treaty of Hudabiyah and prophet intended visit of Kaaba, rules concerning the journey for Hajj has been mentioned.
Halal/Lawful and unlawful food mentioned, the story of Adams two sons has been told to Muslims as it has many lessons esp that the righteous under no situation give up the right attitude and behavior.
Performance of Wudu/ablution, bath, punishment for Fasad fil Arz/Corruption in land and for theft have been specified.
Drinking and gambling have been made unlawful.
Expiation for the breaking of the oath has been laid down.
Jews and the Christians were warned for their attitude, the errors of their dogmas have been clearly pointed out and invited to follow the Right Way of Islam.