The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

d
as long as they are mindful of God, believe and do good deeds,
a
Most translators render these as ‘priests and monks’, which are their modern
meanings, not the etymological senses of the words (al-Raghib, Mufradat ).
b
Some Muslims swore to renounce the world and not to eat certain good foods or
wear 
fine clothes, and when told this was wrong, they asked the Prophet what they could
do about their oaths.
c
See note to verse 
3 above.
d
It was reported that when wine was forbidden, some companions asked the Prophet,
‘What about those believers who used to drink and have already died? What state would
they be in?’ This is the reply to that question, and it also applies to the living.
The Qur
an
5: 83
76

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then are mindful of God and believe, then are mindful of God and
do good deeds: God loves those who do good deeds.
94You who believe, God is sure to test you with game within reach
of your hands and spears, to 
find out who fears Him even though
they cannot see Him: from now on, anyone who transgresses will
have a painful punishment.
a
95You who believe, do not kill game
while you are in the state of consecration [for pilgrimage]. If some-
one does so intentionally the penalty is an o
ffering of a domestic
animal brought to the Ka
 ba, equivalent–– as judged by two just men
among you –
– to the one he has killed; alternatively, he may atone by
feeding the needy or by fasting an equivalent number of days, so that
he may taste the full gravity of his deed. God forgives what is
past, but if anyone re-o
ffends, God will exact the penalty from him:
God is mighty, and capable of exacting the penalty. 
96It is permitted
for you to catch and eat seafood –
– an enjoyment for you and the
traveller –
– but hunting game is forbidden while you are in the state
of consecration [for pilgrimage]. Be mindful of God to whom you
will be gathered.
97God has made the Ka ba–– the Sacred House–– a means of
support for people,
b
and the Sacred Months, the animals for sacri
fice
and their garlands: all this. Know that God has knowledge of all that
is in the heavens and earth and that He is fully aware of all things.
98Know too that God is severe in punishment yet most forgiving and
merciful.
c
99The Messenger’s duty is only to deliver the message:
God knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
100Say [Prophet], ‘Bad cannot be likened to good, though you may
be dazzled by how abundant the bad is. Be mindful of God, people of
understanding, so that you may prosper.’
101You who believe, do not
ask about matters which, if made known to you, might make things
di
fficult for you–– if you ask about them while the Quran is being
revealed, they will be made known to you –
– for God has kept silent
a
In the world to come.
b
The Ka
 ba is the centre of the pilgrimage, bringing in people from all over the
world, where Muslims are allowed to trade –
– the Sacred Months ensured their safety.
The o
fferings provide a means of livelihood to the poor and needy, and the custom of
garlanding an animal gives it special protection. In addition to all these material bene
fits,
there are the spiritual bene
fits of worshipping God. This is an example of bringing
people together in peace (Razi).
c
This is a warning for those who violate these rites and refers back to verse 
2 of this
sura.