An-Nahl (The Bee): (113 - 114) And there had come to them a Messenger...

Know that when the Almighty mentioned the parable (in the preceding verses), He then mentioned what the parable represents.

He said: {And there had come to them a Messenger from among themselves} (16:113). This means the people of Mecca. {A Messenger from among themselves} means from their own people, whom they knew by his lineage and origin. {So they denied him, and the punishment seized them}.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said this punishment refers to the famine that afflicted Mecca. Others said it refers to the killing on the Day of Badr.

I argue that the view of Ibn Abbas is more appropriate because the Almighty follows this by saying: {So eat of what Allah has provided for you, if it is Him you worship} (16:114). This implies that the famine was a consequence of their disbelief; therefore, they should abandon disbelief so that they may eat. For this reason, He said: {So eat of what Allah has provided for you}.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O assembly of Muslims, eat of what Allah has provided for you," meaning the spoils of war (Ghanā'im).

Al-Kalbi said: The leaders of Mecca approached the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when they were severely afflicted, saying, "You have only declared war against men, but what about the women and children?" Provisions had been cut off from them by the command of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). So, permission was given to carry food to them. They carried bones to them, and then Allah said: {Eat of what Allah has provided for you, lawful and good}.

However, the soundest opinion is that of Ibn Abbas, supported by the Almighty's statement immediately following this verse: {He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah} (An-Nahl: 115). This means: Since you have believed and abandoned disbelief, eat the lawful and good things—which are the spoils of war—and abstain from the impure things, which are carrion, blood, etc.

7 < { He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. } > 7 !