Transliteration:( Innamaa harama 'alai kumul maitata waddama wa lahmal khinzeeri wa maaa uhilla lighairil laahi bihee famanid turra ghaira baaghinw wa laa 'aadin fa innal laaha Ghafoorur Raheem )
115. He has made unlawful [255] to you only these: the dead [256], the blood [257], the flesh of swine [258], and that upon which other than Allah’s name has been pronounced [259] at the time of slaughtering. But whoever is compelled by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing limits [260], then surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[255] The list of forbidden things here is a precise enumeration. The animals sacrificed in the name of idols are not forbidden by themselves, except the four explicitly mentioned: dead meat (carrion), blood, pork, and animals slaughtered without invoking Allah’s name. This does not mean other animals like dogs are lawful or unlawful solely based on this verse; rulings about them are found elsewhere.
The principle is that unless explicitly forbidden by the Qur’an or Hadith, something is considered lawful. Allah says:
“Say: I find not in what has been revealed to me any meal forbidden to one who wishes to eat it...” (Surah Al-An’am 6:145) — emphasizing that the burden of proof lies in declaring something unlawful.
[256] Dead meat (carrion) means an animal that died without proper Islamic slaughter. However, certain creatures like fish or locusts do not require slaughter and so are not included here.
[257] Blood here refers to flowing blood which is unlawful to consume, but parts like liver or spleen, though containing blood, are lawful since the blood is not flowing freely.
[258] Flesh of swine is absolutely forbidden — no part of the pig is permissible, not even the hair or byproducts.
[259] Any animal slaughtered while invoking names other than Allah is forbidden, even if Allah’s name is also mentioned alongside other names. This prevents associating partners with Allah in acts of worship and consumption.
[260] Necessity permits consuming what is normally forbidden only when there is no lawful alternative to preserve life or health. This includes:
Starvation when only forbidden food is available, or
Serious illness where a physician prescribes forbidden food for treatment.
However, only the minimal amount necessary is permitted; excess is still unlawful. For example, if one piece of pork is enough to save a life, consuming a second piece would be prohibited. This principle is critical in Islamic jurisprudence for exceptions.
The tafsir of Surah An-Nahl verse 115 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nahl ayat 114 which provides the complete commentary from verse 114 through 117.
(16:115) Allah has forbidden you only carrion, and blood, and the flesh of swine; also any animal over which the name of any other than Allah has been pronounced. But whoever eats of them under compelling necessity – neither desiring it nor exceeding the limit of absolute necessity – surely for such action Allah is Much Forgiving, Most Merciful.[115]
115. Please refer also to (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 173), (Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 3) and (Surah Al-Anaam, Ayat 145).
[717]- Those not slaughtered or hunted expressly for food.
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