Surah Al-An'aam: Verse 143 - ثمانية أزواج ۖ من الضأن... - English

(Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs: of sheep a pair, and of goats a pair; say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful: (143)

These Ayat demonstrate the ignorance of the Arabs before Islam.

They used to prohibit the usage of some of their cattle and designate them as Bahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham etc. These were some of the innovations they invented for cattle, fruits and produce. Allah stated that He has created gardens, trellised and untrellised, and cattle, as animals of burden and as Farsh. Allah next mentioned various kinds of cattle, male and female, such as sheep and goats. He also created male and female camels and the same with cows. Allah did not prohibit any of these cattle or their offspring. Rather, they all were created for the sons of Adam as a source for food, transportation, work, milk, and other benefits, which are many. Allah said,

(And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs...) 39:6 Allah said;

(...or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose...) This refutes the idolators' statement,

(What is in the bellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone, and forbidden to our females.) 6:139 Allah said,

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.) meaning, tell me with sure knowledge, how and when did Allah prohibit what you claimed is prohibited, such as the Bahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham etc. Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said, "Allah's statement,

(Eight pairs: of the sheep two, and of the goats two...) these are four pairs,

(Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females...") I (Allah) did not prohibit any of these.

(or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose) and does the womb produce but males and females So why do you prohibit some and allow some others

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful. ) Allah is saying that all of this is allowed." Allah said,

(Or, were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing) mocking the idolators' innovations, and their lies that Allah made sacred what they have prohibited.

(Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge.) Therefore, no one is more unjust than the people described here and

(Certainly, Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers.) The person most worthy of this condemnation is `Amr bin Luhay bin Qum`ah. He was the first person to change the religion of the Prophets and designate the Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham, as mentioned in the Sahih.

(143)