The Raven in Islamic Tradition and Islamic Law
Etymology and Translation
- Arabic: غراب (g͟hurāb)
- Hebrew: עֹרֵב (ʿoreb)
Qur’anic Reference
The raven, or غراب (g͟hurāb) in Arabic, is mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Ma’idah (Qur’an 5:31):
<p>“Then Allah sent a raven scratching the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his brother. ‘Woe to me!’ said he. ‘Was I not even able to be like this raven and hide the disgrace of my brother?’ So he became full of regrets.”</p>
This verse chronicles the story of the sons of Adam (Cain and Abel) where a raven’s actions provided Cain the knowledge of how to bury his brother Abel.
Legal Status
According to Islamic law, consuming the raven is considered unlawful (haram). This ruling can be found in key Islamic jurisprudence texts like the “Durr al-Mukhtar”:
<p>“The raven is not lawful food according to Islamic law.”<br> (Durr al-Mukhtar, vol. iv. p. 523)</p>
Cultural and Religious Significance
In Islamic literature, the raven is often seen as a symbol given pragmatic as well as moral dimensions. In the mentioned Qur’anic verse, the raven’s action is presented as a form of divine guidance to human beings on how to handle the dead respectfully.
Dietary Laws
In Islam, dietary laws differentiate between halal (permissible) and haram (impermissible) foods. The raven falls into the category of haram due to its nature as a scavenger and predatory bird.
Further Reading
For those who wish to delve deeper into this topic, here are some recommended texts:
- “Animals in the Qur’an” by Sarra Tlili
- “The Book of Animals” by Al-Jahiz
- “Hidayah: A Commentary on Islamic Jurisprudence” by Burhan al-Din al-Marghinani
Takeaways
- The raven (غراب) has a particular mention in the Qur’an highlighting a significant moment in human history.
- Its consumption is considered haram in Islamic dietary law.
- The animal carries symbolic meaning and offers moral and practical lessons in Islamic tradition.
Conclusion
The raven’s reference in the Qur’an and its prohibition in Islamic dietary law collectively underline the multifaceted role animals play in Islamic texts. From providing moral lessons to setting dietary standards, the significance of the raven is emblematic of the broader Islamic worldview that interlinks spirituality, ethics, and daily practice.
