Maeda 5

 Maeda 5

5- TODAY, ALL GOOD AND PURE THINGS HAVE BEEN PERMITTED FOR YOU, AND THE FOOD OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU IS PERMITTED FOR YOU, AND YOU FOOD PERMITTED FOR THEM, AND THE VIRTUOUS OF THE BELIEVING WOMEN AND THE VIRTUOUS OF THE WOMEN OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU, AS LONG AS YOU GIVE THEM THEIR DOWRIES, VIRTUOUSLY NOT COMMITTING ADULTERY PUBLICLY OR SECRETLY.  AS FOR HE WHO DISBELIEVE IN THE FAITH, HIS DEEDS WILL BE RENDERED IN VAIN, AND IN THE HEREAFTER HE WILL BE OF THE LOSERS.

This Ayah was sent down to permit two things which were forbidden for the Muslims beforehand, they are:

1. “AND THE FOOD OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU IS PERMITTED FOR YOU”.  This means the animals they slaughter, except the pig which has been named as a prohibition.  However, cows, sheep, camel, chicken etc they slaughter are permitted for the Muslims to eat.  This is agreed upon among the scholars.
2. “AND THE VIRTUOUS OF THE BELIEVING WOMEN AND THE VIRTUOUS OF THE WOMEN OF THOSE WHO WERE GIVEN THE BOOK BEFORE YOU”.  The virtuous women of those given the book before us i.e. the Christians and the Jews, are permitted for the Muslim men to marry, and they should be given their dowries in full like the Muslim women “AS LONG AS YOU GIVE THEM THEIR DOWRIES”.  The relationship with them should be virtuous, not adultery in public meaning known to people or in secret  “VIRTUOUSLY NOT COMMITTING ADULTERY PUBLICLY OR SECRETLY”. 

From this Ayah, it is clear that: 

1. The Muslim man can marry a Christian or Jewish woman, but the Muslim woman can not marry a Christian or Jewish man.
2. The virtuous man may only marry a virtuous woman, and should not marry an adulterer.

Allah the Highest said: “THE ADULTERER ONLY MARRIES AN ADULTEROUS OR IDLE WORSHIPPER AND THE ADULTEROUS ONLY MARRIES AN ADULTERER OR IDLE WORSHIPPER, FOR THIS IS FORBIDDEN FOR THE BELIEVERS”.  (S:24 A:3)

Whoever does otherwise, he has rejected Allah’s rule, he has rejected Allah’s Faith, and whatever good he does is in vain, then in the Hereafter he will loss out.