A chapter in a holy book devoted to livestock? Don’t act surprised. People know about the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 of the Bible, but few turn the page to Exodus 21 where one of the next priorities appears to be…livestock (and slaves). Livestock (and slaves) were important to these ancient cultures, so why not talk about them in their holy texts? In the previous sura Muhammad gave some food regulations, which he reiterates in this sura, but his main point seems to be criticizing the practices of the pagans in Arabia.
“In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy”
(the intro to every sura)
Muhammad wastes no time getting at the infidels: “…yet the disbelievers set up equals to their Lord!” This sounds to me like a crack at the Christians who set Jesus on a level with God. He reminds the disbelievers how the Heavenly Host (he repeatedly says “We”) destroyed many previous generations because of their “misdeeds.” He says that even if They had sent down a book inscribed on parchment – recall that Muhammad recited the Qur’an rather than writing it down – the disbelievers would just call it “sorcery.” If They had sent down an angel it would have looked like a man, so it would just have confused them. Most people don’t realize that every time in the Bible an angel on earth is in the form of a man: no women, no wings, no halos. Muhammad seems to know this, while many Christians today do not. (6:6-9)
Throughout the Qur’an Muhammad defends his position as God’s messenger (prophet). Recall how Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, claimed that he translated a set of golden tablets with the help of an angel, but of course the tablets were taken back and no one else saw the angel. It seems reasonable to me for people to expect some kind of proof that a person really is speaking from God Almighty. That is a mighty big claim; it should be accompanied by mighty big support. Even Jesus seemed to balk at supporting his claims: “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet…” (Matthew 12:39) Of course, the Gospel authors provided plenty of miracle stories in support of Jesus’ claims, but then we can argue as to whether any stories told by supporters can constitute proof of anything, other than a desire to justify their own beliefs. And of course it doesn’t hurt to throw in a threat of Fire for those who refuse to believe. I suppose it is up to each individual to decide if the claims of Muhamad, or Joseph Smith, or even Jesus are sufficiently supported, or even need to be supported, by any evidence or proof.
Muhammad goes on to say, “Those who deceive themselves will not believe.” (6:12) and “Those who have lost their souls will not believe.” (6:20) I find this to be a common attitude in religion. “It is so obvious that this is the truth! If people refuse to believe it is because they have been deceived by Satan or the pleasures of this world, or they refuse to believe because they want to persist in their sinful lifestyles!” It doesn’t seem to occur to them that skeptics might have legitimate questions about what is being taught, and that they deserve reasonable answers rather than the threat of Hellfire. Or the unprovable promises of Eternal Bliss. There are so many people claiming or have claimed to speak for God that I think it is a very fair question to ask, “How can I know who, if anyone, is truly speaking for God?” No, the deepness and sincerity of your beliefs (or of earlier disciples) does not help, because there are others with competing beliefs that are just as sincere and devout, even to the point of death. Some objective evidence, please.
Muhammad does try to provide some reasoning for his claims, like:
Say [Prophet], ‘Think: if God were to take away your hearing and your sight and seal up your hearts, what god other than He could restore them?’ See how We explain Our revelations in various ways, yet still they turn away. (6:46)
Okay, let’s suppose there is a god capable of restoring your sight and hearing: how would that lead you to THE God? How would you know it was Allah? What if it was Jesus? One of the Hindu gods? A god as yet unknown and unnamed? Even if you believe there is a god of great power that belief does not lead you to a particular god. You choose which god to believe in. Some of you are thinking, ‘But <insert name of god> answers my prayers!” How do you know? Maybe Allah answers the prayers of any sincere believer. Or Jesus does. Or maybe there is a god who doesn’t care which name you use. If so, I wish He (or She) would reveal Himself (or Herself) and end all this squabbling between religions.
There is an interesting, almost funny, section in which he pokes at the pagans using Abraham as an example. This is how Abraham learned to reject false idols: He saw a star in the sky and said, “This is my Lord!” But then it set. So he saw the moon rise and said, “This is my Lord!” But then it set, too. Then he saw the sun rising and cried out, “This is my Lord! This is greater!” But then the sun set, too. So he turned to worship the One who created the heavens and the earth, saying, “I am not one of the polytheists.” (6:74-79) I think this shows the folly of worshipping natural objects, but it doesn’t justify worshipping any particular god (or a god at all).
Anyway, you can read this lengthy section in which Muhammad defends the truth of his recitations and you can decide for yourself if he is convincing.
Eventually Muhammad gets around to livestock:
So [believers] eat any [animal] over which God’s name has been pronounced, if you believe in His revelations. Why should you not eat such animals when God has already fully explained what He has forbidden you, except when forced by hunger? (6:118, 119)
Eastern Meal by Rudolphe Ernst
It’s interesting to me that it is common in religion to say a prayer before a meal, basically pronouncing God’s name over the meal. I think the ancients recognized how nice and important it was to have a meal to eat; they probably experienced a lack of food at various times, perhaps often. So, thank God so He keeps it coming! But even today with our abundance of food we continue the tradition. Muhammad seems to make it a law, though: “do not eat anything over which God’s name has not been pronounced, for that is breaking the law.” (6:121)
After some more preaching about devotion to God he returns to food and livestock. He chides the pagans who set aside food for their idols. These idols, he claims, “have induced many of the pagans to kill their own children, bringing them ruin and confusion in their faith.” (6:137) You might want to read my Bible post #19 in which I suggest that killing other people’s children in the name of your God (as often happens in religious wars) is no different than sacrificing one’s own children in the name of your God.
Apparently there were groups who set aside certain cattle and crops for certain people, and certain food for men that was forbidden to women. He condemns such practices as “falsely attributing such regulations to [God].” (6:136-140)
He praises God for abundant produce, but warns people not to be wasteful: “God does
not like wasteful people.” (6:141) That seems like good advice. He points out that God provided livestock as beasts of burden and as food (6:142). He mentions eight animals in four pairs, and two males, two females and young in the womb of the females. He kind of loses me there. Is he referring to the story of Noah with the pairs of animals, or come contemporary practice? He includes: “And a pair of camels and a pair of cattle.” As I pointed out in the previous post, Jews were not allowed to eat camels (hooves not cloven) but Muhammad saw to it that camels were allowed. Perhaps he is making that clear again.
Muhammad summarizes the food restrictions from the previous sura: “I find nothing
forbidden for people to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood, pig’s meat– it is loathsome– or a sinful offering over which any name other than God’s has been invoked.” (6:145). And he again he gives exception if a person is forced by hunger to eat such things. He can’t resist a poke at the Jews, and says that their food restrictions are “how We penalized then for their disobedience.” Well, it does seem to me that denying people shrimp, fried catfish and pork barbecue is a form of punishment! But seriously, as I discussed in the previous post, why would a Supreme Being be so picky about what kind of meat people eat? Really, stick to the important things of life.
He gives some other general commands, including “do not ascribe anything as a partner to Him” (6:151) which is one of his main gripes with the Christians and their Trinity. “Be good to your parents.” That’s good. “Do not kill your children in fear of poverty – We will provide for you and for them.” Were some parents killing their children, so fewer mouths to feed? Grim. Don’t commit “obscenities.” Do not take a life God has made sacred, “except by right.” (He gave reasons for killing in the previous sura.) Respect the property of orphans. Keep any promises you make in God’s name. (6:151-153)
Muhammad concludes with further appeals to accept God’s revelations (which he is reciting to the people). He says to avoid those who have “divided their religion and broken up into factions” (6:159). Well, good luck with that. Every religion I know of, including Islam, is divided into factions. How can everyone agree on things that cannot be objectively evaluated? Especially in light of human nature?
Finally, “your Lord is swift in punishment, yet He is most forgiving and merciful” (6:165). The same sentiment is found in Judaism and Christianity, but I have trouble understanding it. If God is “swift” in punishment how can He also be “forgiving and merciful?” Wouldn’t being merciful and forgiving suggest that He is slow to punish? I think this is one of those paradoxes of religion that sounds good, but best not to think too hard on it. You might sprain your brain!
Exercises:
1. Ask some of your religious friends how they know that their religion is the correct one. Don’t debate with them; just ask for their perspectives.
2. Jesus said it is not what goes into you (food) that makes you “unclean,” but what comes out of your heart (thoughts and deeds) (Matthew 15:16-20). Do you agree? Ask your religious friends if they follow any religious food laws and see how they feel about Jesus’ take on it.