And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of Allāh has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.340 And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their [own] inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord - He is most knowing of the transgressors.
Notes
[340] In cases of dire necessity, what is normally prohibited becomes permissible, but only to the extent of the need.
Verse 119 of Surah Al-An’am (6:119), a Meccan surah, is in juz 8, on page 143 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 74 reciters.
Listen to verse 119 of Surah Al-An’am
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Tafsir of verse 119
Al-Mukhtasar
What is it that prevents you, O believers, from eating that which was slaughtered in Allah’s name, when Allah has made clear what is unlawful for you. It is therefore necessary for you to leave that which is forbidden, unless you are forced by necessity to eat it, in which case it will be lawful. Many of the misguided idolaters mislead their followers with their incorrect views. They consider lawful that which Allah has made unlawful (such as carrion), and they consider unlawful that which Allah has made lawful (such as the baḥīrah, waṣīlah, ḥāmī, etc.). Your Lord, O Messenger, knows best those who overstep His limits and He will repay them for their transgression.
Why should you not eat of that over which the name of Allah is mentioned when He has expounded clearly what is forbidden to you, unless you are compelled by necessity38? Indeed, many [deviants] lead others astray by their desires, without any knowledge. Your Lord knows best the transgressors.
Notes
[38] Allah says: “But if someone is compelled by necessity – neither driven by desire nor exceeding immediate need – then there is no sin upon him.” See 2:173.
And why should you not eat of that (meat) on which Allâh’s Name has been pronounced (at the time of slaughtering the animal), while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity? And surely many do lead (mankind) astray by their own desires through lack of knowledge. Certainly your Lord knows best the transgressors.
How should ye not eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned, when He hath explained unto you that which is forbidden unto you unless ye are compelled thereto. But lo! many are led astray by their own lusts through ignorance. Lo! thy Lord, He is Best Aware of the transgressors.
Why should ye not eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, when He hath explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you - except under compulsion of necessity? But many do mislead (men) by their appetites unchecked by knowledge. Thy Lord knoweth best those who transgress.
And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which Allah's name has been mentioned, and He has already made plain to you what He has forbidden to you-- excepting what you are compelled to; and most surely many would lead (people) astray by their low desires out of ignorance; surely your Lord-- He best knows those who exceed the limits.
And how is it with you, that you do not eat of that over which The Name of Allah has been mentioned-and He has expounded whatever He has prohibited to you-except whatever you are constrained to? And surely many do indeed lead into error by their prejudices without (any) knowledge. Surely your Lord is He Who knows best the transgressors.
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allāh that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allāh that which you do not know."
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
