Sūrah Al-Māʾidah The Table Spread
المائدة
120 verses, Madanī. Among the last surahs revealed before the Prophet's ﷺ death 2:3 states "This day I have perfected for you your religion." Ibn Kathīr covers the completion of the religion, dietary law, wuḍūʾ, ḥudūd punishments, the covenant with Banī Isrāʾīl, and the miraculous Table Spread requested by ʿĪsā ﷺ.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
"This day I have perfected your religion" (5:3): Ibn Kathīr records that ʿUmar ؓ wept when this verse was revealed for the completion of a religion means the passing of its Prophet ﷺ is near. A Jewish man told ʿUmar: "If this verse had been revealed to us, we would have taken that day as a festival." ʿUmar responded: "We already know what day and place it was revealed the Day of ʿArafah."
Wuḍūʾ (5:6): The most detailed Qurʾānic description of ritual purification washing the face, arms to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet to the ankles. Ibn Kathīr discusses tayammum (dry ablution) and the conditions under which it is permitted.
The Table Spread (5:112–115): The disciples asked ʿĪsā ﷺ to request a table spread from heaven. Allah granted it with the warning that whoever disbelieves after this miracle will be punished as no one in all the worlds has been punished.
- Forbidden foods (5:3): Carrion, blood, pork, and what is slaughtered for other than Allah with the exception of necessity. Ibn Kathīr notes this surah contains the most comprehensive list of dietary prohibitions in the Qurʾān.
- People of the Book as witnesses (5:5): The food of the People of the Book is lawful, and Muslim men may marry their chaste women establishing the limited permissibility of interfaith marriage (husband Muslim, wife from People of the Book).
- Ḥadd of theft (5:38): The hand of the thief is to be cut Ibn Kathīr details the conditions: a niṣāb (minimum value), the item taken from a secured place, and no prior claim over it. All conditions must be met before the punishment applies.
- Qiṣāṣ (5:45): "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth." Ibn Kathīr: this is the Torah ruling that Islam confirmed but the one wronged who forgives, it is expiation for him.
- Alliance with disbelievers (5:51): Do not take the Jews and Christians as awliyāʾ (allies in authority/protection) over the believers. Ibn Kathīr restricts this to political allegiance against the Muslims not to normal peaceful relations.