Intermediate Lawful & Unlawful Surah: Al-Ma'idah (3)

Verse: "Forbidden to you are carrion... but whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin — indeed Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (5:3)

The principle: Carrion is forbidden for its harm — not properly slaughtered, blood retained.

Conditions for necessity that permits it:

1. "Makhmasah" (severe hunger): Extreme hunger with fear of death — not ordinary hunger.
2. "Not inclining to sin": Must not intend disobedience — one who travelled for a sinful purpose has no concession.
3. No lawful alternative: If a permissible alternative exists, there is no necessity.
4. Only to the extent needed: No more than what staves off death — when the necessity lifts, it becomes prohibited again.

Jurisprudential principle derived: "Necessities permit the prohibited" — bounded by "necessity is limited to its extent."

Contemporary applications: Medicines containing prohibited substances when necessary, treating illness with prohibited items where no alternative exists — all built on this verse and its equivalents.

Source: Al-Qurtubi (6/57); Al-Jassas (3/102); Al-Mughni (11/59); Ibn Al-Arabi (2/528)

Tags: الضرورةالمائدةالميتةالحلال والحرامالفقه الإسلامي