Tafsir of Al-An'am 6:118

Al-An'am (The Cattle): Verse 118

In this verse, there are several points we will address through a question-and-answer format.

What is the significance of the initial particle (Fa) in the phrase: {So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned}?

It implies a connection to what preceded it. What is that connection?

The command {So eat} is a consequence of refuting the polytheists who permitted what is unlawful and forbade what is lawful. They used to say to the Muslims: "You claim to worship Allah, so is what Allah has killed more deserving of being eaten than what you yourselves have slaughtered?" Allah responded to the Muslims: If you are truly believers, then eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned—that which is ritually slaughtered (dhabihah) with the Basmalah.

The people (polytheists) permitted eating what was slaughtered in the name of God and did not dispute this point. Their dispute was that they also permitted eating carrion (dead meat), while the Muslims forbade it. If this is the case, then the command permitting what was slaughtered in God's name is futile, as it affirms a ruling on a matter of agreement and leaves aside the matter of disagreement.

There are two perspectives on this:

1. Perhaps the people used to forbid eating ritually slaughtered meat and permit eating carrion. In this case, Allah responded to them regarding both matters: He ruled the permissible nature of the ritually slaughtered meat with {So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned} and ruled the prohibition of carrion with {And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned}.
2. Alternatively, we interpret {So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned} to mean: Restrict your eating only to that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned. Under this interpretation, the meaning is solely the prohibition of eating carrion.

The phrase {So eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned} is a command form, which generally implies permission (ibāḥah). This permission applies to both the believer and the non-believer. However, the particle {In} (if) in the phrase {if you are believers in His signs} implies a condition (ishtirāṭ).

The implied meaning is: Let your eating be restricted only to that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His signs. This means that if Allah had ruled that carrion was permissible, it would have invalidated the claim of being a true believer.

{And what is [the reason] for you not to eat of that upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, while He has explained to you what He has forbidden to you except that to which you are compelled? And indeed, many lead astray by their desires without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of the transgressors.}