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  4. The meaning of the word "uhilla" in reference to food prohibitions

The meaning of the word "uhilla" in reference to food prohibitions

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  • J Offline
    J Offline
    jtc
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Salaam all.

    I have been curious about the meaning of "uhilla" in 2173, 53, 6145, and 16115. According to most dictionaries I found the root "h-L-L" to mean "invoking God's name at the time of sacrificing an animal". I did find one dictionary that simply stated it as meaning to "shout" or "proclaim".

    In terms of "wa ma uhilla li ghayri llahi bih" does this mean "animals sacrifice to other than God" or does it refer to "that which has been dedicated to other than God"? There are a number of people who translate it to mean any food, while some translate it to refer specifically to animals. I was wondering if the understanding of "uhilla" changes the meaning from any food to only animals based on the interpretation of the word relating to sacrifice and not any mentioning of an idol, saint, etc. over food.

    Can someone enlighten me?

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    • M Offline
      M Offline
      mirjamnur
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Salam
      i will try to tell you how i understand it

      005001
      "O ye who believe! Fulfil your obligations. Grazing (Arabic bahimatu) livestock (Arabic anaam'i) is made lawful (Arabic uhillat) to you (for food) except that which is announced to you (herein), game being unlawful when ye are on the pilgrimage. Lo! God ordains that which pleases Him"

      005003
      "Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat (Arabic maytatu), blood (Arabic damu), the flesh of swine (Arabic walahmu-lkhanziri) and that on which has been invoked the name of other than God that which has been killed by strangling or by a violent blow (Arabic mawqudhatu) or by a headlong fall or by being gored to death; that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal; unless you are able to slaughter it (Arabic Thakaytum) (in due form); that which is sacrificed (Arabic Thubiha) on stone (altars); (forbidden) also is the division (of meat) by raffling with arrows that is impiety. This day have those who reject faith given up all hope of your religion yet fear them not but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you completed my favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. But if any forced by hunger with no inclination to transgression God is indeed Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful""

      The following information is found in verse 53.

      PROHIBITED

      Carrion (Dead Animals)
      Blood
      Flesh of Swine
      Any animal dedicated to any OTHER than God (Or the One True God - Lawfulness of the meat of those that follow the previous scripture must be understood within the Quran's own context)
      Animals strangled
      Animals killed through beating or a violent blow (stunned etc)
      Animals killed through falling
      Animals killed due to goring of horns
      Animals devoured by other wild beasts (unless you slaughter it before it dies)
      Animals offered to idols on altars or divided by raffling of arrows (divining, superstitions, foretelling)

      Exception Anyone who is compelled by hunger, not by will to eat what is forbidden, not intending to commit sin, will find God Merciful and Forgiving (53)

      As mentioned above, these prohibitions are repeated similarly in 2.173; 6.145 and 16115

      how i understand this verses?
      Allah he has forbidden to the believers ANY SACRIFICE (humans and animals etc.) there is no sacrifice in the Quran- what we can do, we kill slaughter an animal for purpose of hunger- i.e for eating. Allah he never says, that a HADY has to be an animal (for sacrifice in the pilgrimage) Allah stated clear that the purpose of a Hady is to feed the poor people and to eat -make a feast.
      So the term 'wa ma uhilla li ghayri llahi bih" seems to point to that which has dedicated to other than God and what this mean?
      i understand this , that Allah try to teach us that when we kill an animal, then we should do this in the name of Allah, i.e we should think,how Allah create every living being and how this animal is a gift from God and how it can feel pain etc. If we slaughter in the Name of Allah that means we slaughter with full respect for this creation. we try to make it quickly without pain and sorrow for the animal.

      I don't think that we should eat 'halal' meat from the supermarket or any other meat and just say bismillah before we eat. i think the way how the industry get the meat today, that has nothing to do with Allah's law and his teachings in the Quran.
      Just go and look many videos on you tube about meat industry and then in the end compare with the verses in the Quran - and tell my your opinion.
      I hope my English was enough so that you understand what i wanted to tell you.
      Thank you and Salam

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      • J Offline
        J Offline
        jtc
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Peace,

        My question is actually more about the specific 'Arabic word "uhilla" which is used only four times in the Qur'an in reference to prohibited foods. I was wondering if people see this word as referring to animals or if you can "uhilla" bread, rice, fruit, vegetables, etc.

        I have heard two arguments regarding "dedication". One argument is that "wa ma uhilla lighayri llahi bi" means "anything devoted to other than God" e.g. food prepared for Hindu and Shia festivals. The other argument is that the phrase is referring specificially to "animals sacrificed to other than God".

        Can anyone share their understanding on that this prohibition is actually?

        May God guide us.

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        • M Offline
          M Offline
          mmkhan
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Peace jtc,

          To my understanding, in is a derivative of in , please click here to see its other instances used in alQuraan. Unfortunately, you will not find used in 53 under this root in the link given.

          And the translation of does not mean people but it means who/which/what is under control. For example

          it means who are/has to be under control of alKitaab. I understand this meaning of word from 1024, to further support this understanding, please check 425 also.

          Hope this may help you inshaAllah.

          May my theCreator increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
          mmKhan

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          • J Offline
            J Offline
            jtc
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Peace mmKhan,

            Using your understanding of the word "uhilla", could you please provide a translation for 6145?

            If i understand you correctly, "wa ma uhilla lighayri llahi bi" would translate to "and that which is under the control of other than God". This doesn't really make sense to me as everything is under God's control.

            If you could clarify I'd appreciate it.

            Peace.

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            • H Offline
              H Offline
              herbman
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Salam,

              MMKHAN made a confusion because in english H could be either letter HA like in hilal (crescent moon) or HA like in HAMID (name)

              is to make lawfull

              is has been dedicated

              They are different words

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              • M Offline
                M Offline
                mmkhan
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Peace mmKhan,

                Using your understanding of the word "uhilla", could you please provide a translation for 6145?

                If i understand you correctly, "wa ma uhilla lighayri llahi bi" would translate to "and that which is under the control of other than God". This doesn't really make sense to me as everything is under God's control.

                If you could clarify I'd appreciate it.

                Peace.

                Peace jtc,

                Red "and that which was given under someone other than Allah".

                Let me try translating 6145 for you with my Lord, Allah's permission.

                6145
                6145 Say, "I do not find within that which was revealed to me forbidden to an eater that he eat it unless it be a dead or blood spilled out or the flesh of swine - for indeed, it is impure - or it be disobedience, given under someone other than Allah. But whoever is forced, neither desiring nor transgressing, then indeed, your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

                Translation above is from Sahih International with necessary changes from me as per my understanding.

                is "3rd person masculine singular (form IV) passive perfect verb" as per corpus.quran.com.

                May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
                mmKhan

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                • M Offline
                  M Offline
                  mmkhan
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Salam,

                  MMKHAN made a confusion because in english H could be either letter HA like in hilal (crescent moon) or HA like in HAMID (name)

                  is to make lawfull

                  is has been dedicated

                  They are different words

                  Salaam herbman,

                  I think I have used Arabic words in my reply # 3 above to avoid confusion... isn't it? hmm

                  May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
                  mmKhan

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                  • H Offline
                    H Offline
                    herbman
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Salaam herbman,

                    I think I have used Arabic words in my reply # 3 above to avoid confusion... isn't it? hmm

                    May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His only path pr
                    mmKhan

                    Salam,

                    sorry I think I am the one confused

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                    • M Offline
                      M Offline
                      mmkhan
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Salam,

                      sorry I think I am the one confused )

                      Salaam,

                      That is OK bro handshake

                      mmKhan )

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