Al-Maaida 5:45
Surah Al-Maaida, Verse 45 - Translation, Tafsir & Analysis
Verse Definition & Meaning
Meaning & Definition
Al-Ma'idah 5:45 establishes the divine law of equal retaliation (qisas) that Allah ordained in the Torah: 'life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and for wounds equal retaliation.' This verse emphasizes the principle of proportional justice that ensures equality regardless of social status, race, or wealth. According to authentic Islamic scholarship, this law was revealed to prevent the cycles of tribal revenge common in pre-Islamic societies, where powerful tribes would demand excessive compensation while offering minimal justice to weaker groups. The verse introduces a beautiful spiritual dimension: 'whoever forgives it as charity, it will be expiation for him,' meaning that the victim who chooses to forgive instead of seeking retaliation receives divine forgiveness for their own sins. Classical tafsir explains that this creates a perfect balance between justice and mercy - the law guarantees equal rights for all, while forgiveness opens the door to spiritual elevation and divine mercy. The verse concludes by declaring that 'whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - they are the wrongdoers (zalimoon),' emphasizing that abandoning divine law for human preferences constitutes injustice and oppression.
This definition is based on classical Islamic scholarship and authentic interpretations from recognized scholars.
Verse Wallpapers & Visual Content
وَكَتَبۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ فِيۡهَاۤ اَنَّ النَّفۡسَ بِالنَّفۡسِۙ وَالۡعَيۡنَ بِالۡعَيۡنِ وَالۡاَنۡفَ بِالۡاَنۡفِ وَالۡاُذُنَ بِالۡاُذُنِ وَالسِّنَّ بِالسِّنِّۙ وَالۡجُرُوۡحَ قِصَاصٌؕ فَمَنۡ تَصَدَّقَ بِهٖ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهٗؕ وَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَحۡكُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Wakatabna AAalayhim feeha annaannafsa binnafsi walAAayna bilAAayniwal-anfa bil-anfi walothuna bilothuniwassinna bissinni waljurooha qisasunfaman tasaddaqa bihi fahuwa kaffaratun lahu wamanlam yahkum bima anzala Allahu faola-ikahumu aththalimoon
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Surah Al-Maaida Ayah 45
Find answers to common questions about the meaning, interpretation, and significance of this verse in Islamic teachings and daily life.
❓What does 'life for life, eye for eye' mean in Islamic law and why was it prescribed?
The phrase 'life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth' establishes the principle of proportional justice (qisas) in Islamic law. This divine law ensures that punishment matches the crime exactly, preventing both excessive retaliation and inadequate justice. It was originally prescribed in the Torah and confirmed in the Quran to establish equality before the law, regardless of social status, wealth, or tribal affiliation.
❓How does qisas ensure equal justice for all people regardless of their social status?
Qisas establishes that all human blood and dignity are equal before Allah's law. In pre-Islamic societies, powerful tribes could demand excessive compensation while offering minimal justice to weaker groups. This verse revolutionary established that the life of a poor person equals the life of a rich person, and the injury of a weak person deserves the same retaliation as injury to a powerful person. This principle abolished class-based justice systems.
❓What is the spiritual significance of forgiving instead of taking retaliation according to this verse?
The verse states 'whoever forgives it as charity (sadaqah), it will be expiation (kaffarah) for him.' This means that choosing forgiveness instead of exercising the right of retaliation becomes a form of charity that earns divine forgiveness for the victim's own sins. This creates a beautiful balance between justice and mercy - the law guarantees your rights, but forgiveness elevates you spiritually and brings divine mercy.
❓Why did Allah prescribe the same law of equal retaliation in both Torah and Quran?
This demonstrates the continuity and consistency of divine guidance across different revelations and time periods. The principle of proportional justice reflects eternal divine wisdom about human nature and social order. Both Torah and Quran address the same fundamental human need for fair justice that prevents cycles of revenge while ensuring that wrongdoing has appropriate consequences.
❓How does forgiveness become both charity and expiation in Islamic teaching?
When a victim chooses to forgive instead of seeking lawful retaliation, this act is considered 'sadaqah' (charity) because they are giving up their right for the sake of Allah. In return, Allah makes this forgiveness 'kaffarah' (expiation) for the victim's own sins. This creates a spiritual economy where acts of mercy and forgiveness result in divine mercy and forgiveness, encouraging a culture of compassion while maintaining justice.
❓What are the conditions and procedures for implementing qisas in Islamic law?
According to Islamic jurisprudence, qisas requires: (1) The crime must be intentional, (2) Clear evidence or confession, (3) The victim or their legal heirs must demand it, (4) Equality in the nature of retaliation (exact equivalent), (5) Safety in execution (ensuring the retaliation doesn't cause greater harm), and (6) The right of the victim/heirs to forgive at any time. The law emphasizes precision and proportionality while always leaving room for mercy.
❓How does the law of equal retaliation prevent crime and promote social justice?
Equal retaliation serves as a powerful deterrent because potential criminals know they will face exact consequences regardless of their social position. It prevents crime by removing the incentive that comes from knowing you can escape justice due to wealth or influence. It promotes social justice by ensuring that every person's life and dignity are equally protected by law, creating a society where justice is blind to social distinctions.
❓What is the difference between qisas and taking personal revenge in Islamic teaching?
Qisas is a legal procedure administered by legitimate authority with specific conditions, evidence requirements, and proportionality safeguards. Personal revenge is emotional, often excessive, and lacks legal framework. Qisas must be exact equivalent (eye for eye), while revenge often escalates (killing for injury). Qisas can be forgiven, while revenge creates cycles of violence. Most importantly, qisas is implemented by judicial authority, not by individuals taking law into their own hands.
❓How does this verse address the relationship between divine authority and human judgment?
The verse concludes by stating that 'whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - they are the wrongdoers (zalimoon).' This establishes that human judgment must be guided by divine revelation rather than personal preferences, social pressures, or cultural customs. Abandoning divine law for human alternatives is characterized as 'zulm' (wrongdoing/oppression), emphasizing that true justice can only come from divine guidance that transcends human limitations and biases.
❓What is the wisdom behind allowing forgiveness as an option in serious crimes according to Islamic scholarship?
Islamic scholarship explains that allowing forgiveness serves multiple purposes: (1) It elevates human character by encouraging mercy over revenge, (2) It can lead to genuine reconciliation and healing in communities, (3) It provides spiritual rewards for the victim, (4) It may lead to the genuine repentance of the perpetrator, (5) It demonstrates that Islam values both justice and compassion, and (6) It allows for the possibility of reform and redemption while never compromising the victim's rights or society's need for deterrence.
Translations & Commentary
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