Al-Qur'an Surah Al-An'am Verse 145

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Say, “I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, anything (out of the cattle under discussion) prohibited for anyone who eats it, unless it be carrion or blood that pours forth, or flesh of swine - because it is impure - or there be an animal slaughtered sinfully by invoking on it the name of someone other than Allah. However, if anyone is compelled by necessity, neither seeking pleasure nor crossing the limit, then your Lord is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to eat except carrion, running blood, swine—which is impure—or a sinful offering in the name of any other than Allah. But if someone is compelled by necessity—neither driven by desire nor exceeding immediate need—then surely your Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

Say [O Prophet], “I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden to eat except carrion, running blood or the swine flesh – which is impure – or a sinful offering in the name of other than Allah. However, if someone is compelled by necessity – neither driven by desire nor transgressing due limit – then your Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

A. J. Arberry

Say: 'I do not find, in what is revealed to me, aught forbidden to him who eats thereof except it be carrion, or blood outpoured, or the flesh of swine -- that is an abomination -- or an ungodly thing that has been hallowed to other than God; yet whoso is constrained, not desiring nor transgressing, surely thy Lord is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.'

Abdul Haleem

[Prophet], say, ‘In all that has been revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden for people to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood, pig’s meat- it is loathsome- or a sinful offering over which any name other than God’s has been invoked.’ But if someone is forced by hunger, rather than desire or excess, then God is most forgiving and most merciful.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Say thou: I find not in that which hath been revealed unto me aught forbidden unto an eater that eateth thereof, except it be carcass, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine, for that verily is foul, or an abomination over which is invoked the name of other than that of Allah. Then whosoever is driven thereto, neither lusting nor transgressing, verily thy Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Say; "I find not in the message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine,- for it is an abomination - or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's". But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- thy Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Abul Ala Maududi

Tell them (O Muhammad!): 'I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything forbidden for anyone who wants to eat unless it is carrion, outpoured blood and the flesh of swine, all of which is unclean; or that which is profane having been slaughtered in a name other than that of Allah. But whosoever is constrained to it by necessity - neither desiring to disobey nor exceeding the limit of necessity - your Lord is surely AllForgiving, All-Compassionate.

Ahmed Ali

You tell them: "In all the commands revealed to me I find nothing which men have been forbidden to eat except carrion and running blood and flesh of the swine for it is unclean, or meat consecrated in the name of some other than God, which is profane. But if one is constrained to eat of these without craving or reverting to it, then surely your Lord is forgiving and kind."

Ahmed Raza Khan

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “I do not find in what is sent down to me any eatable prohibited to a consumer, except if it is carrion, or blood flowing from blood vessels, or the flesh of swine – for that is indeed foul, or the sin causing animal over which the name of any other than Allah is taken at the time of slaughtering; so for one compelled by circumstances, neither himself desiring nor eating more than necessary, indeed your Lord is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Ali Quli Qarai

Say, ‘I do not find in what has been revealed to me that anyone be forbidden to eat anything except carrion or spilt blood, or the flesh of swine—for that is indeed unclean—or an impiety offered to other than Allah.’ But should someone be compelled, without being rebellious or aggressive, indeed your Lord is all-forgiving, all-merciful.

Ali Ünal

Say (O Messenger): "I do not find in what has been revealed to me anything made unlawful to one who would eat except it be carrion or blood outpoured (not that which is left in the veins of such organs as the liver and spleen), or the flesh of swine, which is loathsome and unclean, or that which is profane having been slaughtered in the name of other than God (or without pronouncing God’s Name over it). Yet whoever is constrained by dire necessity (to eat thereof) provided he does not covet nor exceed (the bounds of the necessity): (no sin shall be on him). Your Lord is indeed All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Say, `I find nothing in what Allâh has revealed to me that forbids the people to eat anything except it be that which dies of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine; for (all) this is unclean, or (I find that thing forbidden) what is profane, which has been sacrificed in other than Allâh´s name, yet he who is constrained (to eat any of them), having no desire (for that) and having no intention to exceed the limit, (will find that) surely your Lord is Great Protector, Ever Merciful.

English Literal

Say: "I do not find in what (was) inspired/transmitted to me forbidden on an eater/taster (that) he eats/tastes it, except that (it) be dead (animal) or poured/shed blood, or a pig`s/swine`s flesh/meat, so it truly is filth (an) atrocious act or debauchery was declared/praised the name of whom the sacrifice was made for to other than God with it, so who was forced, not transgressing/corrupting and nor transgressing/violating , so then your Lord (is) forgiving, merciful."

Faridul Haque

Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), “I do not find in what is sent down to me any eatable prohibited to a consumer, except if it is carrion, or blood flowing from blood vessels, or the flesh of swine - for that is indeed foul, or the sin causing animal over which the name of any other than Allah is taken at the time of slaughtering; so for one compelled by circumstances, neither himself desiring nor eating more than necessary, indeed your Lord is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Hamid S. Aziz

Say, "I cannot find, in what I am inspired with, anything unlawful for the eater to eat thereof, except it be carrion, or shed blood, or the flesh of swine - for that is foul - or an abomination that is consecrated to other than Allah. But he who is forced, not wilfully nor transgressing - then, verily, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

Hilali & Khan

Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I find not in that which has been inspired to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytatah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork, etc.) for that surely is impure, or impious (unlawful) meat (of an animal) which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But whosoever is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, (for him) certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And of the camels two and of the cows two. Say: Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when Allah enjoined you this? Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah to lead men astray without knowledge? Surely Allah guides not the iniquitous people.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) Allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Say: I find not in that which is revealed unto me aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swineflesh - for that verily is foul - or the abomination which was immolated to the name of other than Allah. But whoso is compelled (thereto), neither craving nor transgressing, (for him) lo! thy Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.

Muhammad Sarwar

(Muhammad), tell them, "I do not find anything which has been made unlawful to eat in what has been revealed to me except carrion, blood flowing from the body, pork [for pork is absolutely filthy] and the flesh of the animals slaughtered without the mention of the name of God. However, in an emergency, when one does not have any intention of rebelling or transgressing against the law, your Lord will be All-forgiving and All-merciful.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Say: 'I find nothing in what has been revealed to me that forbids any one to eat of any food except the dead, running blood, and the flesh of swine for these are unclean and that which has been hallowed in its slaughter to other than Allah. But whoever is constrained to eat of any of these, not intending to sin or transgress, then your Lord is Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Say: "I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine; for that surely, is unclean (Rijs), or immorally slaughtered in the name of other than Allah. But whosoever is forced by necessity without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits; (for him) certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

Wahiduddin Khan

Say [O Prophet], "In all that has been revealed to me, I do not find a ban on anything to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood and pork, all these being unclean or profane, on which the name of someone other than God has been invoked." But if anyone is forced by necessity, being neither disobedient nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is most forgiving and merciful.

Talal Itani

Say, “In what was revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden to a consumer who eats it, except carrion, or spilled blood, or the flesh of swine—because it is impure—or a sinful offering dedicated to other than God. But if someone is compelled by necessity, without being deliberate or malicious—your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.

Tafsir jalalayn

Say; `I do not find, in what is revealed to me, anything forbidden to him who eats thereof except it be (read yakn or takn) carrion (maytatan; or if read maytatun, then with the form yakn, `it be', preceding it) or blood poured forth, flowing, as opposed to [the case of] a liver or a spleen; or the flesh of swine -- that indeed is an abomination, forbidden, or, except it be, a wicked thing that has been hallowed to other than God, that is to say, it has been slaughtered in the name of someone else. But whoever is constrained, to do any of what has been mentioned, and he consumes it, neither coveting nor transgressing, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, to him for what he has consumed, Merciful', towards him. To these [prohibited things] the Sunna adds all beasts of prey with canine teeth and birds [of prey] with talons.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Forbidden Things

Allah commands His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ,

قُل

Say,

O Muhammad to those who prohibited what Allah has provided them, claiming this falsehood to be from Allah,

لااَّ أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ

I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it,

This Ayah means, I do not find any animals that are prohibited, except these mentioned here. We should mention here that the prohibited things mentioned in Surah Al-Ma'idah and the Hadiths on this subject amend the meaning of this Ayah.

إِلاَّ أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً

unless it be Maytah (a dead animal),

أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا

or blood poured.

Qatadah commented,

"Poured blood was prohibited, but the meat that still has some blood in it is allowed."

Al-Humaydi said that Sufyan narrated to us that `Amr bin Dinar narrated to us,

"I said to Jabir bin Abdullah, `They claim that the Messenger of Allah prohibited the meat of donkeys during (the day of) Khaybar.'

He said, Al-Hakam bin `Amr narrated that from the Messenger of Allah. That scholar - referring to Ibn Abbas - denied it, reciting the Ayah;

قُل

لااَّ أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ

Say;"I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it..."'

Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud collected it.

Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah and Al-Hakim, in his Mustadrak, recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"During the time of Jahiliyyah, the people used to eat some things and avoid some other things, because they disliked them. Later on, Allah sent His Prophet, revealed His Book, allowed what He allowed, and prohibited what He prohibited. Therefore, whatever Allah allowed is lawful and whatever He prohibited is unlawful. Whatever He did not mention, there is no sin in it."

He then recited the Ayah,
قُل لَا أَجِدُ فِى مَأ أُوْحِىَ إِلَىَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ
(Say;"I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it...").

This is the wording with Ibn Marduwyah.

Abu Dawud also recorded this statement, and Al-Hakim said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did not record it."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"A sheep belonging to Sawdah bint Zam`ah died and she said, `O Allah's Messenger! So-and-so (sheep) has died.' He said,

فَلِمَ لَا أَخَذْتُمْ مَسْكَهَا



Why did you not use its skin?

She said, `Should we use the skin of a sheep that has died?'

Allah's Messenger said,

إِنَّمَا قَالَ اللهُ




Allah only said,

قُل لاَّ أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلاَّ أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ

Say;"I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, except Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine....,

وَإِنَّكُمْ لَاإ تَطْعَمُونَهُ أَنْ تَدْبَغُوهُ فَتَنْتَفِعُوا بِه


You will not be eating it if you tan its skin and benefit from it.

So she had the sheep skinned, the skin was tanned and made into a water skin that she kept until it wore out."

Al-Bukhari and an-Nasa'i collected a similar Hadith.

فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ

for that surely, is unclean (Rijs), or immorally slaughtered in the name of other than Allah.

Allah said,

فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ

But whosoever is forced by necessity without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits;

Therefore, whoever is forced by necessity to eat anything that Allah has forbidden in this honorable Ayah, without transgressing his limits, then for him,

فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ



certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

We mentioned the explanation of this Ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah. This honorable Ayah contradicts the idolators' innovated prohibitions for certain kinds of wealth, relying merely on their misguided ideas, such as the Bahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham. Allah commanded His Messenger to inform them that he does not find that such types of animals are prohibited in what Allah revealed to him.

In this Ayah, Allah only prohibited;

dead animals,

poured blood,

the flesh of swine and

what has been slaughtered for something other than Allah.

Other things were not prohibited here, but rather treated as that which does not have a ruling, i.e., permissible. Therefore, how do you -- idolators -- claim that such items are prohibited, and why did you prohibit them when Allah did not prohibit them