Surah Al-Uqood (Al-Maa'idah): An Overview
Surah Al-Maa'idah is the fifth chapter of the Qur'an in the arrangement of the Mushaf. It follows the chapters: Al-Faatihah, Al-Baqarah, Aal-Imraan, and An-Nisaa.
There is a consensus among scholars that Surah Al-Maa'idah is Madinan. This is based on the scholarly view that a "Madinan" revelation is any part of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet Peace Upon him after the Hijrah, even if it was revealed outside of Madinah.
According to the Kufans, Surah Al-Maa'idah contains 120 verses. The scholars of Hijaaz and Shaam hold that it consists of 122 verses, whereas the Basrans count 123 verses.
The most well-known name of this surah is Al-Maa'idah (The Table Spread). It was given this name because it uniquely mentions the story of the table (maa'idah) that the disciples of Isaa (Jesus) عليه السلام requested to descend from the sky. Allah, the Exalted, narrates this in the final part of the surah:
إِذْ قالَ الْحَوارِيُّونَ يا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَنْ يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنا مائِدَةً مِنَ السَّماءِ
"[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?'"
(Surah Al-Maa'idah, 5:112-115)
The surah is also known as Surah Al-Uqood (The Surah of Contracts) because it is the only surah that begins with a command to fulfill contracts:
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ
"O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts."
(Surah Al-Maa'idah, 5:1)
Another name for it is Al-Munqidhah (The Rescuer). Al-Imam Al-Qurtubi reported that the Prophet Peace Upon him said:
"Surah Al-Maa'idah is called in the Dominion of Allah 'The Rescuer'. It rescues its reciter from the hands of the angels of punishment."
Its Connection to Surah An-Nisaa
According to Al-Imam Al-Aalusi, the connection between Surah Al-Maa'idah and Surah An-Nisaa is that the latter contains various types of contracts, both explicitly and implicitly. The explicit ones include marriage contracts, dower agreements, alliances, and treaties. The implicit ones include contracts of bequests, trusts, agency, loans, rentals, and other financial dealings.
Allah commands in Surah An-Nisaa:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَماناتِ إِلى أَهْلِها
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due."
(Surah An-Nisaa, 4:58)
This thematic connection explains why Surah Al-Maa'idah begins with the command to fulfill contracts. Furthermore, the arrangement of the two surahs follows a pattern where Surah An-Nisaa starts with "O mankind", making it resemble Makkan revelations, whereas Surah Al-Maa'idah starts with "O you who have believed", which is more typical of Madinan discourse.
There are reports indicating that Surah Al-Maa'idah was revealed in its entirety at once. Imam Aḥmad recorded that Asmaa bint Yazeed said:
"I was holding the reins of the Prophet's camel when Surah Al-Maa'idah was revealed to him. The weight of the revelation was so heavy that it nearly broke the camel’s neck."
Imam Ahmad also narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr that:
"Surah Al-Maa'idah was revealed to the Messenger of Allah Peace Upon him while he was riding his mount. The mount could not bear its weight, so he dismounted."
Other reports mention that it was revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage, between Makkah and Madinah. Al-Qurtubi mentions a narration stating that it was revealed upon the Prophet’s return from Hudaybiyyah.
Some narrations also specify that individual verses were revealed at different times and places. For instance, Al-Imam As-Suyuti states in Al-Itqaan:
"Today I have perfected for you your religion..."
(الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ)
was revealed on the Day of ʿArafah during the Farewell Pilgrimage, as reported in Sahih Muslim from Umar ibn Al-Khattaab.
The verse on Tayammum (dry ablution) was revealed at Al-Baydaa when the Prophet and his companions were entering Madinah after the Battle of Al-Muraysi.
"O you who have believed, remember Allah's favor upon you when a people intended to extend their hands against you..."
(يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَنْ يَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ)
was revealed in Baatin Nakhl.
"And Allah will protect you from the people..."
(وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ)
was revealed during the Battle of Dhaat Ar-Riqaa
Based on these reports, it appears that Surah Al-Maa'idah was not revealed in one instance but rather in stages over different periods.
Surah Al-Maa'idah opens with a command to fulfill covenants and abide by divine obligations. It then discusses permissible and prohibited foods, the dietary laws for the People of the Book, and the ruling on marriage with them.
After addressing the lawful needs of the body, it transitions to spiritual nourishment by commanding purification before prayer. Allah states:
ما يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حَرَجٍ وَلكِنْ يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
"Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful."
(Surah Al-Maa'idah, 5:6)
The surah then instructs believers to uphold justice in dealings with both friends and foes. It warns against disbelief and disobedience while emphasizing Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for those who sincerely repent. It also highlights the defiant behavior of the Jews towards the Prophet Peace Upon him and their attempts to manipulate divine rulings.
Ultimately, Surah Al-Maa'idah reaffirms the completion of Islam as Allah declares:
الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ دِينِكُمْ...
"This day, those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion... This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion."
(Surah Al-Maa'idah, 5:3)