Surah Al-Maeda - سورة المائدة

Al-Maeda

Surat Al-Maeda recited by 345 different reciters

Information about Surat Al-Maeda

  • Number of verses : 120
  • Type : Madaniya
  • Name translation : The Table Spread
  • Chronological order : 112
  • Traditional order : 5

Description

About Surat Al Maeda

Surat Al Maeda is one of the longest Quranic Surat, and it is the fifth Surat in the Quran. It comes after Surat An Nisa and before Surat Al An’am. This Medinan Surat contains 120 verses, 2837 words and 11892 letters. The reason behind its name goes back to the story of Al Maeda that happened to Issa PBUH when he was asked by his people to ask God to give them a table from heaven in order to eat from it, and also to take this miracle as a proof of his prophecy and of his truthfulness. After doing so, the almighty Allah promised to punish them if they disbelieved after that.

Reasons of its descent

Like many other long Surat, it is difficult to talk about the reasons why Surat Al Maeda came down in a sure way, as every verse in it has an explication for its own descent. For instance, the verse 58 was revealed for the Jews who mocked the Muslims whenever they heard the athan to pray, so the verse went down to answer them: “when you call to prayer, they take it in ridicule and amusement”. And then the verse 87 that came down because of a group of companions as Allah said to them: « O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. ». Also, the verse 101 came down for some people who used to ask the prophet of Allah by mockery, as Allah said: « O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if they are shown to you, will distress you. »

Its content

The content of the Surah Al Maeda revolves around issues of Islamic legislation and Shari ‘a and the importance of sound Shari’a in order to apply it. This Surah talks repeatedly about the importance of contracts and charters and it encourages them. In this regard, we find in this Surah numerous Shari’a rules such as the rules of contracts of slaughtering, and of fishing, etc. We also find in the surah a reminder of the importance of writing the will at the time of the need and an encouragement of this act. Also, this Surat talks about the charter made by Allah to punish those who don’t believe in him. One of the contents of this surah is also the story of the revelation of the son of Mary, and the story of Cain and Abel, in addition to the miracle of the table.

Its features

One of the characteristics of Surat Al Maeda is that it is uses more of the style of the call in comparison with other Surats, like: «O you who believe ». Also, it talks about what’s Haraam and what’s Halal in food, drinks and so on. This Surah is also different by a verse that was a sign of the approach of the death of the prophet Muhammad PBUH.

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