Almaidah Means Food, Understand the Meaning Based on Interpretation

Kapanlagi.com - Almaidah is one of the names of the surah in the Quran. Specifically, Almaidah is the fifth surah and consists of 120 verses. In general, Almaidah means food that comes down from heaven. However, like other surahs in the Quran, Almaidah also has a deeper meaning and is important to understand.

Linguistically, Almaidah does refer to food. However, not all verses in Almaidah only discuss food. There are only a few verses that discuss food, one of which is in verse 3. In addition, Surah Almaidah verse 3 is also considered special because it is often referred to as the last revelation that Allah SWT revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Therefore, it is important to understand the meaning of Surah Almaidah. Compiled from various sources, here is an in-depth review of the meaning of Surah Almaidah that Muslims must know. 

1. Almaidah Means Food

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As previously mentioned, according to the language of Almaidah, it means a dish of food. However, not only the name of the letter, but according to the content of the Almaidah letter, there are several parts that discuss food.

As for some verses in the Almaidah letter that discuss dishes, they are found in verses 3 and 111 to 115. In verse 3 of the Almaidah letter, it discusses prohibited dishes or food. Meanwhile, in verses 111-115, it discusses the story of the followers of Prophet Isa who asked Allah SWT to send down dishes from heaven.

2. Meaning of Almaidah Verses 111-115

To better understand the meaning of al-Maidah which means 'The Table Spread', you need to know the contents of verses 111-115 and verse 3. As mentioned earlier, the meaning of al-Maidah is a dish mentioned in those verses. Here is an explanation of the meaning to understand the contents of verses 111-115 of Surah al-Maidah.

1. Meaning of al-Maidah verse 111

"And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, 'Believe in Me and in My messenger Jesus.' They said, 'We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah].'"

2. Meaning of al-Maidah verse 112

"[And remember] when the disciples said, 'O Jesus, son of Mary, can your Lord send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven? [Jesus] said, 'Fear Allah, if you should be believers.'"

3. Meaning of al-Maidah verse 113

"They said, 'We wish to eat from it and let our hearts be reassured and know that you have been truthful to us and be among its witnesses.'"

4. Meaning of al-Maidah verse 114

"[Jesus] said, 'O Allah, our Lord, send down to us a table [spread with food] from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You. And provide for us, and You are the best of providers.'"

5. Meaning of al-Maidah verse 115

"Allah said, 'Indeed, I will sent it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you - then indeed will I punish him with a punishment by which I have not punished anyone among the worlds.'"

3. Interpretation of Almaidah Verses 111-115

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As the meaning suggests, the interpretation of Almaidah verses 111-115 contains the request of Prophet Isa's followers to Allah SWT to send down food from heaven. The followers are mentioned as Isa's followers because in one verse, they refer to Isa as the son of Maryam, not the son of God.

This request was granted by Allah SWT after Prophet Isa prayed. Finally, Prophet Isa's followers could see the greatness of Allah SWT directly, so they became more confident and their faith in Allah SWT increased.

At the end, Prophet Isa asked his followers to have complete faith in Allah SWT. Prophet Isa also asked his followers not to make any more requests or questions, as it would give the impression that they still doubted the power of Allah SWT.

Almaidah verses 111-115 provide a valuable lesson that Allah SWT is the Most Giving and Most Powerful. Everything can be done by Allah SWT, even things that were originally thought to be impossible. So, it is only natural for us to believe and no longer doubt the power of Allah SWT.

4. Meaning of Almaidah Verse 3

Apart from verses 111-115, the discussion of Almaidah meaning food is also mentioned in verse 3. However, in verse 3, which is referred to as the last verse received by Prophet Muhammad SAW, the food described is the food that is forbidden for Muslims. Here is the meaning of Almaidah verse 3.

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that (meat) over which has been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless you are able to slaughter it (in due form); that which is sacrificed on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows: that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion: yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any is forced by hunger, with no inclination to transgression, Allah is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

5. Tafsir of Almaidah Verse 3

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Broadly speaking, Almaidah meaning food in verse 3 discusses what foods are forbidden for Muslims. However, upon closer examination, there are several important points conveyed in Almaidah verse 3.

Firstly, Allah SWT has forbidden several types of animals for consumption. Starting from dead meat, blood, pork, animals that are not slaughtered in the name of Allah SWT, animals that are slaughtered for idols, and so on.

In addition, there is also a part of verse 3 of Almaidah which explains that Allah SWT also forbids gambling or betting, especially with arrows (hunting). Because hunting animals is also included in what is forbidden.

Implicitly, Almaidah verse 3 also explains that Islam is a perfect religion. Thus, to perfect the dietary laws, they are also regulated. However, on the other hand, Allah SWT also provides leeway for His servants who are forced by hunger, not by the intention to commit sin. For them, it is permissible to consume forbidden animal meat.

Those are some of the explanations of Almaidah meaning food according to the meaning and interpretation of verses 111-115 and verse 3. Hopefully, it is useful and can increase our faith as Muslims. Ameen.

(kpl/gen/psp)