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iv) We pray to Allah, as Al-Quran teaches us in its very beginning, to keep us on the Path of those, whom He blessed. (Al-Fatiha)
[IN the next Verses, We have been commanded again (as in 2:168 above) to eat the pious and lawful things.]
2:172,173 LAWFUL (Halal) & UNLAWFUL (Haram) FOOD
2:172 “ O’ you who believe! Eat from the pious things which We have given you; and be grateful to Allah, if you worship Him and Him only.”
2:173 “ Indeed, He (Allah) has made unlawful (‘Haram’) to you the dead (animals), blood, meat of swine (i.e. pork), and the animal on which the name of others rather than Allah has been taken, while slaughtering. Nevertheless, if any one is compelled (to take such things for his survival), there is no sin on his part provided that he neither willingly disobeys ( the Commandment of Allah), nor exceeds the limit (but eats just to the extent that he survives). Of course, Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” ( See also 5:3;6:145;16:115)
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Pious & Lawful things:
i) Only the pious things are lawful. (2:168,172)
The Holy Prophet
said in this regard: “ Allah is pious, and accepts the pious only. And, indeed, Allah has commanded the believers just as He commanded (His) Messengers : ‘O (My) Messengers! Eat from the pious things and perform good deeds.’ And Allah commanded: ‘ O you who believe! Eat from the pious things that We have given you (i.e. the above Verse 2:172)’.” Then the Holy Prophet mentioned about a man, who traveled a long distance and who raised his hands towards the heaven with his hair scattered and dirty, praying: ‘O’ my Lord! O’ my Lord!’, whereas his food was unlawful, his drinking material was unlawful, and that he was fed through unlawful means. The Holy Prophet then added how his prayer could be accepted?” (Muslim-Mishkat:2640)
