سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 4
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّآ أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ ﴿4﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) what is lawful for them (as food). Say: "Lawful unto you are At-Tayyibât [all kind of Halâl (lawful-good) foods which Allâh has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allâh; so eat of what they catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allâh over it, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Swift in reckoning."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ
yasalūnaka
They ask you
مَاذَآ
mādhā
what
أُحِلَّ
uḥilla
(is) made lawful
لَهُمْ ۖ
lahum
for them
قُلْ
qul
Say
أُحِلَّ
uḥilla
Are made lawful
لَكُمُ
lakumu
for you
ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ ۙ
l-ṭayibātu
the good things
وَمَا
wamā
and what
عَلَّمْتُم
ʿallamtum
you have taught
مِّنَ
mina
of
ٱلْجَوَارِحِ
l-jawāriḥi
(your) hunting animals
مُكَلِّبِينَ
mukallibīna
ones who train animals to hunt
تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ
tuʿallimūnahunna
you teach them
مِمَّا
mimmā
of what
عَلَّمَكُمُ
ʿallamakumu
has taught you
ٱللَّهُ ۖ
l-lahu
Allah
فَكُلُوا۟
fakulū
So eat
مِمَّآ
mimmā
of what
أَمْسَكْنَ
amsakna
they catch
عَلَيْكُمْ
ʿalaykum
for you
وَٱذْكُرُوا۟
wa-udh'kurū
but mention
ٱسْمَ
is'ma
(the) name
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
(of) Allah
عَلَيْهِ ۖ
ʿalayhi
on it
وَٱتَّقُوا۟
wa-ittaqū
and fear
ٱللَّهَ ۚ
l-laha
Allah
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
سَرِيعُ
sarīʿu
is swift
ٱلْحِسَابِ
l-ḥisābi
(in taking) account
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 4) ➊ {يَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ مَا ذَاۤ اُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ……:} The command regarding cattle has been given, then people asked about other things, so Allah Almighty stated a great principle of religion, which is expressed in jurisprudential language as: "The original ruling of everything is permissibility." That is, all pure things for eating and drinking are lawful, so whatever things the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared unlawful, it is understood that they are not pure, such as predatory animals with fangs and birds that hunt with their claws, or those which have been declared unlawful by name. All others are lawful. By this rule, the scope of unlawful things became narrow and the scope of lawful things became wide.
➋ {وَ مَا عَلَّمْتُمْ مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِيْنَ …… :} By hunting animal is meant every beast and bird that is kept and trained for hunting, such as a dog, cheetah, falcon, and hawk, etc., and the sign of it being "trained" is that when it is released on the prey, it catches and holds it for its owner. If it starts eating the prey itself, then eating that prey is not permissible, and this is the meaning of {”مِمَّاۤ اَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ“}. ‘Adi bin Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about this issue, so he (peace be upon him) said: "When you release your trained dog and mention Allah's name, then whatever prey it catches for you, eat it." I said: "Even if it kills it?" He said: "Even if it kills it, provided that no other dog which is not among them has participated in the killing, because you mentioned Allah's name when releasing your dog, not on another." [ بخاری، الذبائح والصید، باب صید المعراض : ۵۴۷۶۔ مسلم: 1929/1 ]
It is narrated from ‘Adi bin Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When you release your dog and it catches and holds the prey for you and you find it alive, then slaughter it. And if you find that it has killed it but has not eaten it itself, then you may eat it, because the dog's catching it is itself a slaughter." [ بخاری، الذبائح والصید، باب التسمیۃ علی الصید : ۵۴۷۵۔ مسلم: 1929/6 ]
➌ {وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ :} That is, if any condition for lawfulness is missing, then do not eat it out of desire for hunting, being fearless of Allah.
➋ {وَ مَا عَلَّمْتُمْ مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِيْنَ …… :} By hunting animal is meant every beast and bird that is kept and trained for hunting, such as a dog, cheetah, falcon, and hawk, etc., and the sign of it being "trained" is that when it is released on the prey, it catches and holds it for its owner. If it starts eating the prey itself, then eating that prey is not permissible, and this is the meaning of {”مِمَّاۤ اَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ“}. ‘Adi bin Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about this issue, so he (peace be upon him) said: "When you release your trained dog and mention Allah's name, then whatever prey it catches for you, eat it." I said: "Even if it kills it?" He said: "Even if it kills it, provided that no other dog which is not among them has participated in the killing, because you mentioned Allah's name when releasing your dog, not on another." [ بخاری، الذبائح والصید، باب صید المعراض : ۵۴۷۶۔ مسلم: 1929/1 ]
It is narrated from ‘Adi bin Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When you release your dog and it catches and holds the prey for you and you find it alive, then slaughter it. And if you find that it has killed it but has not eaten it itself, then you may eat it, because the dog's catching it is itself a slaughter." [ بخاری، الذبائح والصید، باب التسمیۃ علی الصید : ۵۴۷۵۔ مسلم: 1929/6 ]
➌ {وَ اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ :} That is, if any condition for lawfulness is missing, then do not eat it out of desire for hunting, being fearless of Allah.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. 1. By this, all those things are meant which are halal. Every halal is pure, and every haram is impure.
4. 2. Jawarih is the plural of jarih, which means hunter. It refers to hunting dogs, falcons, cheetahs, hawks, and other hunting birds and beasts. Mukallibeen means that before being sent for hunting, they have been trained for hunting. Training means that when it is sent for hunting, it runs; when it is stopped, it stops; and when it is called back, it returns.
4. 3. The prey hunted by such trained animals is halal with two conditions. First, that at the time of sending it for hunting, Bismillah is recited. Second, that the hunting animal catches the prey and keeps it for its owner and waits for him, and does not eat it itself. Even if it has killed the prey, still the hunted animal is halal, provided that no other animal besides the trained and sent animal has participated in the hunt (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Dhaba’ih wa al-Sayd; Muslim, Kitab al-Sayd).
4. 2. Jawarih is the plural of jarih, which means hunter. It refers to hunting dogs, falcons, cheetahs, hawks, and other hunting birds and beasts. Mukallibeen means that before being sent for hunting, they have been trained for hunting. Training means that when it is sent for hunting, it runs; when it is stopped, it stops; and when it is called back, it returns.
4. 3. The prey hunted by such trained animals is halal with two conditions. First, that at the time of sending it for hunting, Bismillah is recited. Second, that the hunting animal catches the prey and keeps it for its owner and waits for him, and does not eat it itself. Even if it has killed the prey, still the hunted animal is halal, provided that no other animal besides the trained and sent animal has participated in the hunt (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Dhaba’ih wa al-Sayd; Muslim, Kitab al-Sayd).
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. They ask you what is lawful for them. Say, "All good and pure things have been made lawful for you [22], and also what your trained hunting animals catch for you, as you have trained them as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, but mention the name of Allah [23] when releasing them. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is swift in taking account."
[22]
The Original Ruling for Everything is Permissibility:
In this verse, a magnificent principle regarding the permissibility and prohibition of food and drink items has been given, which is expressed in the language of jurisprudence as: "The original ruling for everything is permissibility." This means that all food and drink items are lawful for you with two conditions: first, that the thing is pure and clean, not filthy, stale, rotten, or foul-smelling; second, that there is no explicit statement in the Shariah declaring it to be forbidden. In this way, the scope of forbidden items becomes very limited, and the scope of lawful items becomes very broad. Whereas before the revelation of this verse, it was generally understood that only those things could be lawful for which there was clear evidence in the Shariah, as is also evident from the Muslims' question mentioned in this verse. Through this verse, Allah Almighty changed the previous notion and, by broadening the scope of lawful items, bestowed a great favor upon the Muslims.
[23]
Rulings Regarding Hunting:
Birds are also included among hunting animals, such as the falcon and the hawk, etc. That is, whether it is a dog, a cheetah, a falcon, or a hawk—whichever has been trained to restrain the prey for its owner and does not eat from it itself. For the explanation of this verse, consider the following hadiths:
1. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you release your trained dogs and mention the name of Allah over them, then eat what they catch for you."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب الصید۔ باب الصید بالکلاب المعلمۃ والرمی]
2. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you shoot your arrow, say 'Bismillah' (in the name of Allah)."
[مسلم۔ ايضاً]
3. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you shoot your arrow and the prey disappears, then when you find it, you may eat it provided it has not decayed."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید و الذبائح، باب اذاغاب عنہ الصید ثم وجدہ]
4. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If you shoot an arrow at the prey, then find it after one or two days, and see that there is no mark on it except your arrow, then you may eat it. But if the prey has fallen into water, do not eat it."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الذبائح والصید۔ باب الصید اذا غاب عنہ یومین اوثلاثہ]
5. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mughaffal ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ forbade hunting with pebbles (by throwing them) and said that hunting should not be done in this way.
[بخاری۔ کتاب الذبائح والصید۔ باب الخذف والبندقۃ۔ مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب اباحۃ مایستعان بہ علی الاصطیاد]
6. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty has prescribed excellence in everything, so when you kill or slaughter, do so in the best manner (i.e., sharpen your knife well so that the slaughtered animal suffers the least)."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب الامر باحسان الذبح والقتل]
[22]
The Original Ruling for Everything is Permissibility:
In this verse, a magnificent principle regarding the permissibility and prohibition of food and drink items has been given, which is expressed in the language of jurisprudence as: "The original ruling for everything is permissibility." This means that all food and drink items are lawful for you with two conditions: first, that the thing is pure and clean, not filthy, stale, rotten, or foul-smelling; second, that there is no explicit statement in the Shariah declaring it to be forbidden. In this way, the scope of forbidden items becomes very limited, and the scope of lawful items becomes very broad. Whereas before the revelation of this verse, it was generally understood that only those things could be lawful for which there was clear evidence in the Shariah, as is also evident from the Muslims' question mentioned in this verse. Through this verse, Allah Almighty changed the previous notion and, by broadening the scope of lawful items, bestowed a great favor upon the Muslims.
[23]
Rulings Regarding Hunting:
Birds are also included among hunting animals, such as the falcon and the hawk, etc. That is, whether it is a dog, a cheetah, a falcon, or a hawk—whichever has been trained to restrain the prey for its owner and does not eat from it itself. For the explanation of this verse, consider the following hadiths:
1. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you release your trained dogs and mention the name of Allah over them, then eat what they catch for you."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب الصید۔ باب الصید بالکلاب المعلمۃ والرمی]
2. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you shoot your arrow, say 'Bismillah' (in the name of Allah)."
[مسلم۔ ايضاً]
3. The Prophet ﷺ said: "When you shoot your arrow and the prey disappears, then when you find it, you may eat it provided it has not decayed."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید و الذبائح، باب اذاغاب عنہ الصید ثم وجدہ]
4. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If you shoot an arrow at the prey, then find it after one or two days, and see that there is no mark on it except your arrow, then you may eat it. But if the prey has fallen into water, do not eat it."
[بخاری۔ کتاب الذبائح والصید۔ باب الصید اذا غاب عنہ یومین اوثلاثہ]
5. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mughaffal ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ forbade hunting with pebbles (by throwing them) and said that hunting should not be done in this way.
[بخاری۔ کتاب الذبائح والصید۔ باب الخذف والبندقۃ۔ مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب اباحۃ مایستعان بہ علی الاصطیاد]
6. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty has prescribed excellence in everything, so when you kill or slaughter, do so in the best manner (i.e., sharpen your knife well so that the slaughtered animal suffers the least)."
[مسلم۔ کتاب الصید والذبائح۔ باب الامر باحسان الذبح والقتل]
