سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ
Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 103
مَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَحِيرَةٍ وَلَا سَآئِبَةٍ وَلَا وَصِيلَةٍ وَلَا حَامٍ ۙ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ ﴿103﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Allâh has not instituted things like Bahîrah, or Sâ’ibah, or Wasîlah, or Hâm, (all these animals were liberated in honour of idols as practised by pagan Arabs in the pre-Islâmic period). But those who disbelieve invent lies against Allâh, and most of them have no understanding.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
مَا
mā
Not
جَعَلَ
jaʿala
has (been) made
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
(by) Allah
مِنۢ
min
of
بَحِيرَةٍۢ
baḥīratin
a Bahirah
وَلَا
walā
and not
سَآئِبَةٍۢ
sāibatin
a Saibah
وَلَا
walā
and not
وَصِيلَةٍۢ
waṣīlatin
a Wasilah
وَلَا
walā
and not
حَامٍۢ ۙ
ḥāmin
a Hami
وَلَـٰكِنَّ
walākinna
[And] but
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
كَفَرُوا۟
kafarū
disbelieved
يَفْتَرُونَ
yaftarūna
they invent
عَلَى
ʿalā
against
ٱللَّهِ
l-lahi
Allah
ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ
l-kadhiba
the lie
وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ
wa-aktharuhum
and most of them
لَا
lā
(do) not
يَعْقِلُونَ
yaʿqilūna
use reason
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.
103. Allah has not instituted anything concerning Bahirah, Sa’ibah, Wasilah, or Ham. But the disbelievers invent lies against Allah [151], and most of them do not understand (and follow these false practices).
[151]
The Customs of Bahirah, Saibah, Wasilah, and Ham:
Saeed bin Musayyib says that Bahirah is a milch animal whose milk is withheld in the name of idols so that no one may milk it. Saibah is the animal that is set free in the name of idols; no load is placed on it nor is it ridden (i.e., a bull). Wasilah is the she-camel that gives birth to a female the first time and again a female the second time; such a she-camel is also set free in the name of idols. Ham is the male camel from whose seed ten offspring have been born; it too is set free as a stud in the name of idols. Saeed bin Musayyib says that Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ said that the Prophet ﷺ said: I saw Amr bin Amir Khuza'i dragging his intestines in Hell. He was the first to introduce the custom of the stud (bull). [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]
The Amr bin Amir Khuza'i mentioned in this hadith is also referred to as Amr bin Luhayy Khuza'i in another narration. This person became the ruler of Makkah about three hundred years before your (the Prophet's) prophethood. He introduced many innovations into the religion of Ibrahim, making many lawful things unlawful and unlawful things lawful. He also popularized idol worship in Makkah. It often happens that rulers, kings, or prominent people invent evil customs, and their subordinates begin to accept and like them. Gradually, these evil customs come to be regarded as part of the religion.
What is even more ironic is that such polytheistic customs were invented by their elders, but their descendants would attribute them to Allah, claiming that Allah had commanded so. The ignorant, who are usually the majority in every society, would accept this fabrication, and thus such customs would become widespread. In refutation of this, Allah revealed these verses.
[151]
The Customs of Bahirah, Saibah, Wasilah, and Ham:
Saeed bin Musayyib says that Bahirah is a milch animal whose milk is withheld in the name of idols so that no one may milk it. Saibah is the animal that is set free in the name of idols; no load is placed on it nor is it ridden (i.e., a bull). Wasilah is the she-camel that gives birth to a female the first time and again a female the second time; such a she-camel is also set free in the name of idols. Ham is the male camel from whose seed ten offspring have been born; it too is set free as a stud in the name of idols. Saeed bin Musayyib says that Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah ؓ said that the Prophet ﷺ said: I saw Amr bin Amir Khuza'i dragging his intestines in Hell. He was the first to introduce the custom of the stud (bull). [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]
The Amr bin Amir Khuza'i mentioned in this hadith is also referred to as Amr bin Luhayy Khuza'i in another narration. This person became the ruler of Makkah about three hundred years before your (the Prophet's) prophethood. He introduced many innovations into the religion of Ibrahim, making many lawful things unlawful and unlawful things lawful. He also popularized idol worship in Makkah. It often happens that rulers, kings, or prominent people invent evil customs, and their subordinates begin to accept and like them. Gradually, these evil customs come to be regarded as part of the religion.
What is even more ironic is that such polytheistic customs were invented by their elders, but their descendants would attribute them to Allah, claiming that Allah had commanded so. The ignorant, who are usually the majority in every society, would accept this fabrication, and thus such customs would become widespread. In refutation of this, Allah revealed these verses.
