113 Page Notes

05 Surah Al-Maidah (continued)

Page 113 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

5:32

5:33

5:34

5:35

5:36

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 113 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 113 of the standard Uthmani Mushaf comprises Surah Al-Ma'idah (Chapter 5), verses 32 through 36.

This specific page outlines some of the most critical legal, ethical, and spiritual principles in Islamic theology. It transitions from the macro-ethics of saving human life to the severe legal penalties for violent crimes (Hirabah), followed by an injunction on how to seek proximity to Allah and a stark warning regarding the Day of Judgment.

The Hadith and Prophetic Sunnah provide foundational context, historical background, and deep spiritual explanations for these verses.

1. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 32: The Sanctity of Human Life

"Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely..." (5:32)

The Hadith on Fulfilling this Verse Through Justice

The Sunnah mirrors the weight of this verse by elevating the protection of innocent life to the absolute highest tier of societal priority. The Prophet ﷺ declared that the very first matters judged between humans on the Day of Resurrection will be related to bloodshed:

"The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 87, Hadith 6864); Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1678).

The Sunnah of Saving Lives

The phrase "whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely" is exemplified across the Sunnah through general acts of preservation—extending even to the protection of animal life. In a well-known narration, a man was completely forgiven of his sins simply for drawing water out of a well to save a thirst-stricken dog. The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for us in serving animals?" He replied: "There is a reward for serving any living being." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2363).

2. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verses 33-34: The Penalties for High Treason and Banditry (Hirabah)

"Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none other than that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land... Except for those who return [repenting] before you apprehend them..." (5:33-34)

The Reason for Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul): The People of 'Uraynah

The Sunnah preserves the specific, graphic historical incident that prompted the revelation of these severe penal mandates.

The companion Anas ibn Malik narrated: "A group of eight men from the tribe of 'Ukl and 'Uraynah came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and pledged allegiance to Islam. The climate of Medina did not suit them, and they became physically ill. The Prophet ﷺ ordered them to go to his herd of milch camels out in the pasture to drink their milk and urine (as a remedy). When they recovered and grew strong, they turned around, murdered the Prophet’s innocent shepherd, drove off the camels, and apostatized from Islam.

The Prophet ﷺ sent a military dispatch after them, and they were captured and brought back. He ordered that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides and their eyes branded with heated irons, and they were left in the sun until they died."

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 56, Hadith 3018); Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1671).

The classical commentators, including Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, note that verse 33 was revealed immediately following this incident to codify the exact legal bounds (Hudud) for banditry, highway robbery, terrorism, and treason (Hirabah).

3. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 35: Seeking Proximity to Allah (Al-Wasilah)

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of closeness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed." (5:35)

The Sunnah Defining Al-Wasilah

The word Wasilah in Arabic means a means of approach or proximity. The companion Ibn Abbas stated that it means Al-Qurbah (drawing close through acts of obedience). However, the Sunnah also explicitly establishes Al-Wasilah as a specific, highly exalted station in Paradise reserved for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.

The Prophet ﷺ taught his followers to supplicate for him to be granted this station every time they hear the call to prayer (Adhan):

"When you hear the Mu'adhin (caller to prayer), repeat what he says... Then ask Allah to grant me Al-Wasilah. It is a station in Paradise which belongs to only one of the servants of Allah, and I hope that I am the one. Whoever asks for Al-Wasilah to be granted to me, my intercession (Shafa'ah) becomes mandatory for him on the Day of Judgment."

• Source: Sahih Muslim (Book 4, Hadith 384).

4. Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 36: The Hopelessness of the Disbelievers

"Indeed, those who disbelieve - if they should have all that is in the earth and the like of it with it by which to ransom themselves from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it will not be accepted from them, and for them is a painful punishment." (5:36)

The Hadith on the Futility of Ransom

The exact scene depicted in verse 36—where an individual would gladly trade the entire physical universe to escape the realities of the fire—is brought to life through an explicit Prophetic narration describing a dialogue on the Day of Judgment:

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah will say to the person who has the least punishment among the people of the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection: 'If you possessed everything on the earth, would you give it as a ransom to liberate yourself?' The person will reply, 'Yes.' Allah will say, 'While you were still in the loins of Adam, I asked you for something much easier than that: that you should not associate partners with Me in worship, but you insisted on polytheism.'"

• Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 60, Hadith 3334); Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2805).

References

• Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari (Chapters: Kitab al-Tafsir / Prophetic Commentary; Kitab al-Muharibin / Dealing with Criminals and Apostates).

• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim (Chapters: Kitab al-Qasamah wal-Muharibin / Oaths, Murders, and Criminals; Kitab Sifat al-Qiyamah / Characteristics of the Day of Resurrection).

• Ibn Kathir, Ismail ibn Umar. Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azeem (Volume 3, Exegesis of Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verses 32–36).