Surah Al-Ma'idah (5): Verse 88

"And eat of what Allah has provided for you [as] lawful and good..."

Issues Discussed:

The word وكلوا (Eat) is an imperative form, and its apparent meaning implies obligation (الوجوب), not mere permissibility (الإباحة).

• Argument by Al-Shafi'i's Companions: They used this verse to argue that voluntary acts of worship (التطوع) do not become obligatory upon starting them. They reasoned that the apparent meaning of this verse grants absolute permission to eat from what Allah has provided, which includes the period after one has begun fasting. The specific restrictions mentioned elsewhere are exceptions (تخصيص), and the general ruling (العام) remains authoritative where no specific exception applies.

This phrase can be grammatically linked in two ways:

1. Linked to the Act of Eating: The structure implies: "Eat lawfully and purely from what Allah has provided you."
   • Argument for the Mu'tazila: Under this interpretation, the verse serves as proof that sustenance (الرزق) can only be lawful. This is because the verse permits eating only what Allah has provided, and Allah only permits eating what is lawful. Therefore, everything that is sustenance must be lawful.

2. Linked to the Sustenance (The Provided): The structure implies: "Eat from the sustenance that is lawful and good."
   • Argument for Our Companions (Ahl al-Sunnah): This interpretation proves that sustenance (الرزق) can be unlawful. If sustenance were inherently lawful, there would be no need for Allah to restrict the permission to eat only the portion that is "lawful and good." This restriction implies that some provision might not meet this standard.

Allah did not say, "Eat what Allah has provided you," but rather, "Eat from what Allah has provided you" (كلوا مما رزقكم الله).

• The particle من (min) here implies partiality (التبعيض). It is as if the command is: "Limit your eating to a portion of what Allah has provided, and dedicate the rest to charity and good deeds." This serves as guidance to avoid extravagance (الإسراف), similar to the verse: "And do not be excessive" (Al-An'am: 141; Al-A'raf: 31).

The statement "Eat from what Allah has provided you" indicates that Allah has guaranteed the sustenance (الرزق) for every individual.

• If Allah had not guaranteed provision, He would not have commanded, "Eat from what Allah has provided you."
• Since Allah has guaranteed provision, one must not exaggerate in seeking it (الطلب) but should rely on Allah's promise and grace, as He is too noble to break His promise. This aligns with the Prophet's saying: "Be mindful of Allah and be moderate in seeking [sustenance]."
• The subsequent command, "And be mindful of Allah" (واتقوا الله), serves as an emphasis on the preceding advice. This emphasis is further strengthened by the phrase, "that you may believe" (أنتم به مؤمنون), because true belief necessitates piety (التقوى) in adhering to what is commanded and abstaining from what is forbidden.

Verse 89: Expiation for Oaths

"Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths. But He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended by oath. So its expiation is the feeding of ten poor people from the average of that which you feed your families or clothing them or freeing a slave. And whoever cannot find [this], then a fast of three days. That is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful."