Surah Al-Ma’idah is the fifth Surah of the Quran and was revealed in Medina. The chapter contains 120 verses and is situated in the 6th and 7th Juzes of the Holy Book. As far as the sequence of revelation is concerned, this is the 113th surah that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received.
This is also the final long surah that was revealed in the last years of the Prophet’s life.
Al-Ma’idah means a table set for dining and it has been mentioned in verses 112 and 114 of the surah and nowhere else in the Quran. Al-Ma’ida refers to one of the miracles of Hazrat Isa (AS) that came upon the request of the disciples. They believed in Jesus but wanted to strengthen their faith by witnessing a miracle. Accordingly, Hazrat Issa (AS) asked God Almighty to send down a table set of foods from the heavens.
Other than the birth and miracles of Jesus, the surah also refers to other stories such as the Israelites’ breaking of their promise, the murder of Habil by Qabil, and Ghadir Khumm.
Furthermore, the chapter points to Islamic beliefs, knowledge, religious duties such as wudu (ablution), execution, and punishment of theft.
One of the features of the surah is its stress on the issue of Taqwa. The phrase “fear Allah” has been repeated 12 times in the surah, more than in any other chapter. This emphasis on Taqwa is because when humans attain good wealth and position, they usually forget God and engage in affairs that defame themselves, violate promises, and damage the ethics of society.
source:iqna
