Qur'an 20090325

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

142. Of the cattle are some for burden, and some for meat. Eat what Allah has provided for you, and follow not the footsteps of Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy.

143. Eight in pairs, of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair. Say, "Has God forbidden the two males, or the two females, or which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if you are truthful."

144. Of camels a pair, and of oxen a pair. Say, "Has God forbidden the two males, or the two females, or which the wombs of the two females enclose? Were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing? But who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead men astray without knowledge? For Allah guides not people who do wrong."

145. Say, "I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination, or what is impious, on which a name has been invoked other than Allah's." But, if a person is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor trangressing due limits, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.

146. For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade all with undivided hoof, and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep, except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone. This in recompense for their willful disobedience, for We are True.

147. If they accuse you of falsehood, say, "Your Lord is full of Mercy, All-Embracing." But from people in guilt, never will God's wrath be turned back.

The Cattle 6:143-147
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Has God forbidden the two males, or the two females, or which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if you are truthful.

Has God forbidden the two males, or the two females, or which the wombs of the two females enclose? Were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing? But who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead men astray without knowledge? For Allah guides not people who do wrong.

I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be dead meat, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination, or what is impious, on which a name has been invoked other than Allah's.

Your Lord is full of Mercy, All-Embracing.

In these verses, livestock is mentioned: cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and oxen. Don't try to second-guess what God means in the Qur'an: only God knows the true meaning, or multiple meanings, of each verse! Which is why I don't insert bracketed explanations within the verses when I translate, as to break the poetry and rhythm of the Qur'an, as if anybody knows what Allah is really referring to: I just try to make the best guess possible. As it is, when Allah commands to say something, I am unsure where the quote ends a lot of times. I just say it within the confines of the verse itself, and defer authority to prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). However, it's "Qul", not "Ya Muhammad, qul." I don't presume things, or add stuff to the Qur'an! InsyaAllah!

Your Lord is full of Mercy, All-Embracing.