Al-Ma'idah

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation, it is a Medinan chapter, which means it is believed to have been revealed in Medina rather than Mecca.

[2] However, a columnist for Mosaic presents evidence suggesting that this coincidence is part of the Quran's critique of Judaism, and early Muslims were aware of this context.

Hamiduddin Farahi, an Islamic scholar of the Indian subcontinent, is known for his work on the concept of nazm, or coherence, in the Quran.

Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way..."This verse was revealed at Arafat according to the hadith: Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: Once a Jew said to me, "O the chief of believers!

So Cain threatened, “I will kill you!” His brother replied, “Allah only accepts ˹the offering˺ of the sincerely devout.

5:31 Then Allah sent a crow digging ˹a grave˺ in the ground ˹for a dead crow˺, in order to show him how to bury the corpse of his brother.

This verse from Qur'anic chapter al-ma'idah (5:33) is known as the Hirabah verse (ayat al-hiraba),[8] It specifies punishment for "those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to spread disorder in the land":[9] The verbal noun form (i.e. ḥirabah) is frequently used in classical and modern books of Islamic jurisprudence, but neither the word ḥirabah nor the root verb ḥaraba occurs in the Quran.

In view of the broad and strong language of the verse, however, various state representatives beginning with the Umayyads have asserted that it applied to rebels in general.

[11] The original meanings of the triliteral root ḥrb are to despoil someones wealth or property, and also fighting or committing sinful act.

[14] However, other Muslim scholars such as Shafi Usmani see this as forbidding only "indiscriminating intimacy" which might confuse the "distinctive hallmarks of Islam", while all other equitable relations as being allowed.

[15] Ghamidi in the context of his Itmam al-Hujjah interpretation of Islam, restricts the subjects of this verse to only the Jews and Christians of the Muslim Prophet's time.

They will be humble with the believers but firm towards the disbelievers, struggling in the Way of Allah; fearing no blame from anyone.

[18] On the Shia interpretation of this verse, God used the singular form "waliyyukum" implying the "wilayah" (Guardianship of the believers) is a single project.

Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork.

A page from an 8th century Qur'an. The black line between the red lines is the beginning of Surah Al-Mā'idah
A trial in the Ottoman Empire, 1879, when religious law applied under the Mecelle
Cain burying Abel (c. 1570–1580 CE )