Sura-6 [Al Anam]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

وَجَعَلُواْ لِلّهِ مِمِّا ذَرَأَ مِنَ الْحَرْثِ وَالأَنْعَامِ نَصِيبًا...

136. Out of what Allah hath produced in abundance in tilth and in cattle, they assigned Him a share:

...فَقَالُواْ هَـذَا لِلّهِ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَهَـذَا لِشُرَكَآئِنَا...

they say, according to their fancies: "This is for Allah, and this for our 'partners'"!

C958. There is scathing sarcasm here, which some of the Commentators have missed.

The Pagans have generally a big Pantheon, though above it they have a vague idea of a Supreme God. But the material benefits go to the godlings, the fancied "partners" of Allah; for they have temples, priests, dedications, etc., while the true and supreme God has only lip-worship, or at best a share with numerous "partners". This was so in Arabia also.

The shares assigned to the "partners", went to the priests and hangers-on of the "partners", who were many and clamorous for their rights. The share assigned to Allah went to the poor, but more probably went to the priests who had the cult of the "partners", for the Supreme God had no separate priests of His own.

It is also said that when heaps were thus laid out, if any portion of Allah's heap fell into the heaps of the "partners", the priests greedily and promptly appropriated it, while in the contrary case, the "partners" priests were careful to reclaim any portion from what they called "Allah's heap".

The absurdity of the whole thing is ridiculed. Allah created everything: how can He have a share?

...فَمَا كَانَ لِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ فَلاَ يَصِلُ إِلَى اللّهِ...

But the share of their 'partners' reacheth not Allah,

...وَمَا كَانَ لِلّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَى شُرَكَآئِهِمْ ...

whilst the share of Allah reacheth their 'partners'!

...سَاء مَا يَحْكُمُونَ ﴿١٣٦﴾

Evil (and unjust) is their assignment!

وَكَذَلِكَ زَيَّنَ لِكَثِيرٍ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ قَتْلَ أَوْلاَدِهِمْ شُرَكَآؤُهُمْ...

137. Even so, in the eyes of most of the Pagans, their 'partners' made alluring the slaughter of their children,

C959. The false gods and idols -among many nations, including the Arabs- were supposed to require human sacrifices. Ordinarily such sacrifices are revolting to man, but they are made "alluring" -a sacred rite- by Pagan custom, which falsely arrogates to itself the name of religion.

Such customs, if allowed, would do nothing but destroy the people who practice them, and make their religion but a confused bundle of revolting superstitions.

...لِيُرْدُوهُمْ وَلِيَلْبِسُواْ عَلَيْهِمْ دِينَهُمْ ...

in order to lead them to their own destruction, and cause confusion in their religion.

...وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ مَا فَعَلُوهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿١٣٧﴾

If Allah had willed, they would not have done so:

but leave alone them and their inventions.

وَقَالُواْ هَـذِهِ أَنْعَامٌ وَحَرْثٌ حِجْرٌ لاَّ يَطْعَمُهَا إِلاَّ مَن نّشَاء بِزَعْمِهِمْ...

138. And they say that such and such cattle and crops are taboo, and none should eat of them except those whom -- so they say -- We wish;

C960. A taboo of certain foods is sometimes a device of the priesthood to get special things for itself. It has to be enforced by pretending that the prohibition for others is by the Will of Allah.

It is a lie or invention against Allah. Most superstitions are.

...وَأَنْعَامٌ حُرِّمَتْ ظُهُورُهَا ...

further, there are cattle forbidden to yoke or burden,

C961. Cattle dedicated to heathen gods may be reserved from all useful work; in that case they are a dead loss to the community, and they may, besides, do a great deal of damage to fields and crops.

... وَأَنْعَامٌ لاَّ يَذْكُرُونَ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهَا افْتِرَاء عَلَيْهِ...

and cattle on which (at slaughter), the name of Allah is not pronounced;

inventions against Allah's name:

C962. If meat is killed in the name of heathen gods, it would naturally not be killed by the solemn rite in Allah's name, by which alone the killing can be justified for food.

See 698 to 5:4.

...سَيَجْزِيهِم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ ﴿١٣٨﴾

soon will He requite them for their inventions.

وَقَالُواْ مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَـذِهِ الأَنْعَامِ خَالِصَةٌ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَى أَزْوَاجِنَا...

139. They say:

"What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men, and forbidden to our women;

...وَإِن يَكُن مَّيْتَةً فَهُمْ فِيهِ شُرَكَاء...

but if it is still-born then all have shares therein.

C963. These are further Pagan superstitions about cattle. Some have already been noted in 6:136, which may be consulted with the notes.

...سَيَجْزِيهِمْ وَصْفَهُمْ إِنَّهُ حِكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿١٣٩﴾

For their (false) attribution (of superstitions to Allah): He will soon punish them:

for He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.

قَدْ خَسِرَ الَّذِينَ قَتَلُواْ أَوْلاَدَهُمْ سَفَهًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

140. Lost are those who slay their children, from folly, without knowledge,

...وَحَرَّمُواْ مَا رَزَقَهُمُ اللّهُ افْتِرَاء عَلَى اللّهِ...

and forbid food which Allah hath provided for them, inventing (lies) against Allah.

...قَدْ ضَلُّواْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهْتَدِينَ ﴿١٤٠﴾

They have indeed gone astray and heeded no guidance.

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَّعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ...

6:141. It is He who produceth gardens, with trellises and without,

C964. Ansha'a: see 6:98, n. 923.

...وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَابِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ...

and dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds,

and olives and pomegranates, similar (in kind) and different (in variety):

C965. A beautiful passage, with music to match the meaning.

Cf. 6:99 and notes.

... كُلُواْ مِن ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُواْ حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ ...

eat of their fruit in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day that the harvest is gathered.

... وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ...

But waste not by excess:

C966. "Waste not, want not," says the English proverb.

Here the same wisdom is preached from a higher motive. See what magnificent means Allah provides in nature for the sustenance of all His creatures, because He loves them all. Enjoy them in moderation and be grateful.

But commit no excess, and commit no waste: the two things are the same from different angles of vision. If you do, you take away something from other creatures and Allah would not like your selfishness.

...إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿١٤١﴾

for Allah loveth not the wasters.

وَمِنَ الأَنْعَامِ حَمُولَةً وَفَرْشًا...

142. Of the cattle are some for burden and some for meat.

C967. Superstition kills true religion. We come back to the Arab Pagan superstitions about cattle for food.

The horse is not mentioned, because horse flesh was not an article of diet and there were no superstitions about it.

Sheep and goats, camels and oxen were the usual sources of meat. Sheep and goats were not used as beasts of burden, but camels (of both sexes) were used for carrying burdens, and oxen for the plough, though cows were mainly used for milk and meat.

The words "some for burden and some for meat" so not differentiate whole species, except that they give you the first two and the last two categories.

...كُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ...

Eat what Allah hath provided for you,

...وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿١٤٢﴾

and follow not the footsteps of Satan: for he is to you an avowed enemy.

ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ ...

143. (Take) eight (head of cattle) in (four) pairs:

C968. The superstitions referred to in vi. 139 and v. 106 are further ridiculed in this verse, and the next.

... مِّنَ الضَّأْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْمَعْزِ اثْنَيْنِ...

of sheep a pair,

and of goats a pair;

...قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الأُنثَيَيْنِ...

say, hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?

...نَبِّؤُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ﴿١٤٣﴾

Tell me with knowledge if ye are truthful.

وَمِنَ الإِبْلِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ اثْنَيْنِ...

144. Of camels a pair, and of oxen a pair;

...قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الأُنثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الأُنثَيَيْنِ...

say,

hath He forbidden the two males, or the two females,

or the (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?

...أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاء إِذْ وَصَّاكُمُ اللّهُ بِهَـذَا...

Were ye present when Allah ordered you such a thing?

...فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللّهِ كَذِبًا لِيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ...

But who doth more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead astray men without knowledge?

...إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾

For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.

قُل لاَّ أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلاَّ...

145. Say:

"I find not in the Message received by me by inspiration any (meat) forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless

...أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ ...

- it be dead meat,

- or blood poured forth,

- or the flesh of swine, for it is an abomination,

C969. Blood poured forth: as distinguished from blood adhering to flesh, or the liver, or such other internal organs purifying the blood.

...أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ...

- or, what is impious, (meat) on which a name has been invoked, other than Allah's."

...فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلاَ عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٤٥﴾

But (even so), if a person is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits, thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ هَادُواْ حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِي ظُفُرٍ...

146. For those who followed the Jewish Law, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof,

C970. Zufur may mean claw or hoof;

it is in the singular number; but as no animal has a single claw, and there is no point in a division of claws, we must look to a hoof for the correct interpretation.

In the Jewish Law (Leviticus, 11:3-6), "Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts" was lawful as food, but the camel, the coney (rabbit), and the hare were not lawful, because the do not "divide the hoof".

"Undivided hoof" therefore is the correct interpretation.

These three animals, unlawful to the Jews, are lawful in Islam.

Cf. 4:160.

...وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَا...

and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep,

C971. In Leviticus (7:23) it is laid down that "ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep or of goat."

As regard the exceptions, it is to be noticed that priests were enjoined (Leviticus, 7:6) to eat of the fat in the trespass of offering, which was considered holy, viz., "the rump" (back and bone) "and the fat that covereth the inwards" (entrails), (Leviticus, 7:3).

...إِلاَّ مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَا أَوِ الْحَوَايَا أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ...

except what adheres to their backs or their entrails, or is mixed up with a bone:

...ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ وِإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ ﴿١٤٦﴾

this in recompense for their wilful disobedience:

for We are True (in Our ordinances).

فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ...

147. If they accuse thee of falsehood, say:

"Your Lord is full of Mercy All-embracing;

...وَلاَ يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ ﴿١٤٧﴾

but from people in guilt never will His wrath be turned back.

سَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُواْ لَوْ شَاء اللّهُ مَا أَشْرَكْنَا وَلاَ آبَاؤُنَا وَلاَ حَرَّمْنَا مِن شَيْءٍ...

148. Those who give partners to Allah will say,

"If Allah had wished, we should not have given partners to Him, nor would our father;

nor should we have had any taboos."

C972. As used by the Pagans, the argument is false, for it implies;

a. that men have no personal responsibility,

b. that they are the victims of a Determinism against which they are helpless, and

c. that they might therefore go on doing just what they liked.

It is also inconsistent, for if (b) is true, (c) cannot be true. Nor is it meant to be taken seriously.

...كَذَلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم حَتَّى ذَاقُواْ بَأْسَنَا...

So did their ancestors argue falsely, until they tasted of Our wrath.

...قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَا...

Say:

"Have ye any (certain) Knowledge?

If so, produce it before us.

...إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إَلاَّ تَخْرُصُونَ ﴿١٤٨﴾

Ye follow nothing but conjecture:

Ye do nothing but lie."

Asad’s version

6: 136 and out of whatever He has created of the fruits of the field and the cattle, they assign unto God a portion, saying, “This belongs to God” – or so they [falsely] claim – and this is for those beings who, we are convinced, have a share in God’s divinity.” But that which is assigned to the beings associated in their minds with God does not bring [them ] closer to God – whereas that which is assigned to God brings [them but] closer to those beings to whom they ascribe a share in His divinity. Bad, indeed, is their judgment!. Asad , see also Ali

6: 137 And, likewise, their belief in beings or powers that are supposed to have a share in God’s divinity makes [even] the slaying of their children seem goodly to many of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, thus bringing them to ruin and confusing them in their faith.

Yet, unless God had so willed, they would not be doing all this: stand, therefore, aloof from them and all their false imagery!

6: 138 And they say, “Such and such cattle and fruits of the field are sacred; none may eat thereof save those whom we will [to do so]” – so they [falsely] claim; and they declare that it is forbidden to burden the backs of certain kinds of cattle; and there are cattle over which they do not pronounce God’s name – falsely attributing [the origin of these customs] to Him. He will requite them for all their false imagery.

6: 139 And they say, “All that is in the wombs of such-and such cattle is reserved for our males and forbidden to our women; but if it be stillborn, then both may have their share thereof." [God] will requite them for all they [falsely] attribute [to Him]: behold, He is wise, all-knowing.

6: 140 Lost, indeed, are they who, in their weak minded ignorance, slay their children and declare as forbidden that which God has provided for them as sustenance, falsely ascribing [such prohibitions] to God; they have gone astray and have not found the right path.

6: 142 and of the cattle reared for work and for the sake of their flesh, eat whatever God has provided for you as sustenance, and follow not Satan’s footsteps: behold, he is your open foe!

[ Adad note 129: .......superstitiously declaring as forbidden what God has made lawful to man. All the references of pre-Islamic taboos given in verses 138-140 and 142-144 are meant to stress the lawfulness of any food which God has not expressly forbidden through revelation. ]

6: 143, 144 (superstition regarding 8 in pairs of cattle.................And who could be more wicked than he who, without any knowledge, attributes his own lying inventions to God, and thus leads people astray? Behold, God does not grace evildoing folk with His guidance. Asad

6: 143, 144 .........God guideth not people who do wrong.

6: 138

Yusuf Ali And they say that such and such cattle and crops are taboo and none should eat of them except those whom so they say We wish; further there are cattle forbidden to yoke or burden and cattle on which (at slaughter) the name of Allah is not pronounced; inventions against Allah's name: soon will He requite them for their inventions.

Pickthall And they say: Such cattle and crops are forbidden. No one is to eat of them save whom We will--in their make believe--cattle whose backs are forbidden, cattle over which they mention not the name of Allah. (All that is) a lie against Him. He will repay them for that which they invent.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ ha_zihi an'a_muw wa harsun hijrul la_ yat'amuha_ illa_ man nasya_'u bi za'mihim wa an'a_mun hurrimat zuhu_ruhu_ wa an'a_mul la_ yazkuru_nasmalla_hi'alaihaftira_'an 'alaih(i), sayajzihim bima_ ka_nu_ yaftaru_n(a).

6: 139

Yusuf Ali They say: "What is in the wombs of such and such cattle is specially reserved (for food) for our men and forbidden to our women; but if it is still-born then all have shares therein. For their (false) attribution (of superstitions to Allah): He will soon punish them: for He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.

Pickthall And they say: That which is in the bellies of such cattle is reserved for our males and is forbidden to our wives; but if it be born dead, then they (all) may be partakers thereof. He will reward them for their attribution (ordinances unto Him). Lo, He is Wise, Aware.

Transliteration Wa qa_lu_ ma_ fi butu_ni ha_zihil an'a_mi kha_lisatul li zuku_rina_ wa muharramun'ala_ azwa_jina_, wa iy yakum maitatan fahum fihi syuraka_'(u), sayajzihim wasfahum, innahu_ hakimun 'alim(un).

6: 140

Yusuf Ali Lost are those who slay their children from folly without knowledge and forbid food which Allah hath provided for them inventing (lies) against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and heeded no guidance.

Pickthall They are losers who besottedly have slain their children without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah bestowed upon them, inventing a lie against Allah. They indeed have gone astray and are not guided.

Transliteration Qad khasiral lazina qatalu_ aula_dahum safaham bi gairi 'ilmiw wa harramu_ ma_ razaqahumulla_huftira_'an'alalla_h(i), qad dallu_ wa ma_ ka_nu_ muhtadin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes - 958 There is scathing sarcasm here, which some of the Commentators have missed. The Pagans have generally a big Pantheon, though above it they have a vague idea of a Supreme God. But the material benefits go to the godlings, the fancied "partners" of God; for they have temples, priests, dedications, etc., while the true and supreme God has only lip-worship, or at best a share with numerous "partners". This was so in Arabia also. The shares assigned to the "partners", went to the priests and hangers-on of the "partners", who were many and clamorous for their rights. The share assigned to God went to the poor, but more probably went to the priests who had the cult of the "partners", for the Supreme God had no separate priests of His own. It is also said that when heaps were thus laid out, if any portion of God's heap fell into the heaps of the "partners", the priests greedily and promptly appropriated it, while in the contrary case, the "partners" priests were careful to reclaim any portion from what they called "God's heap". The absurdity of the whole thing is ridiculed . God created everything: how can He have a share? (6.136)

959 The false gods and idols -among many nations, including the Arabs -were supposed to require human sacrifices. Ordinarily such sacrifices are revolting to man, but they are made "alluring" -a sacred rite- by Pagan custom, which falsely arrogates to itself the name of religion. Such customs, if allowed, would do nothing but destroy the people who practise them, and make thier religion but a confused bundle of revolting superstitions. (6.137)

960 A taboo of certain foods is sometimes a device of the priesthood to get special things for itself. It has to be enforced by pretending that the prohibition for others is by the Will of God. It is a lie or invention against God. Most superstitions are. (6.138)

961 Cattle dedicated to heathen gods may be reserved from all useful work; in that case they are a dead loss to the community, and they may, besides, do a great deal of damage to fields and crops. (6.138)

962 If meat is killed in the name of heathen gods, it would naturally not be killed by the solemn rite in God's name, by which alone the killing can be justified for food. See n. 698 to v. 5. (6.138)

963 These are further Pagan superstitions about cattle. Some have already been noted in v. 106, which may be consulted with the notes. (6.139) ]]

6: 143

Asad ………….either of the two sexes of sheep and of goats [note 130]“……….Tell me what you know in this respect [note 131], if what you say is true.”

Yusuf Ali (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.

Pickthall Eight pairs: Of the sheep twain, and of the goats twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Expound to me (the case) with knowledge, if ye are truthful.

Transliteration Sama_niyata azwa_j(in), minad da'nisnaini wa minal ma'zisnain(i), qul a_zzakaraini harrama amil unsayaini ammasytamalat 'alaihi arha_mul unsayain(i), nabbi'u_ni bi'ilmin in kuntum sa_diqin(a).

6: 144

Asad ……………..And who could be more wicked than he who, without any [real] knowledge, attributes his own lying inventions to God, and thus leads people astray?” Behold, God does not grace [such] evildoing folk with His guidance.

Yusuf Ali Of camels a pair and of oxen a pair; say hath He forbidden the two males or the two females or the (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Were ye present when Allah ordered you such a thing? But who doth more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah to lead astray men without knowledge? For Allah guideth not people who do wrong.

Pickthall And of the camels twain and of the oxen twain. Say: Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females, or that which the wombs of the two females contain; or were ye by to witness when Allah commanded you (all) this? Then who doth greater wrong than he who devises a lie concerning Allah, that he may lead mankind astray without knowledge. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

Transliteration Wa minal ibilisnaini wa minal baqarisnain(i), qul a_zzakaraini harrama amil unsayaini ammasytamalat'alaihi arha_mul unsayain(i), am kuntum syuhada_'a iz wassa_kumulla_hu bi ha_za_, faman azlamu mimmaniftara_ 'alalla_hi kazibal liyudillan na_sa bi gairi 'ilm(in), innalla_ha la_ yahdil qaumaz za_limin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 130 ……The term “zawj” denotes a pair of things as well as each of the two constituents of a pair: hence my rendering of “thamaniyat azwaj” (lit., eight [in] pairs”) as “four kinds of cattle of either sex”. The particular superstition to which this and the next verse refers is probably identical with the one mentioned in 5:103].

note-131 Lit., “tell me with knowledge” – i.e., not on the basis of guesswork but of knowledge….]]

[[ Ruby’s note – All the above verses refer superstitions and how these are devoid of truth and unnecessarily complicate lifestyle. Islam promotes simplicity and if any restriction or prohibition comes in life it should be based on revelation or from knowledge and reason as to whether it is harmful or beneficial, etc. Any action or ritual should not be based on conjecture, past meaningless and false traditions or guesswork. A practice should be based on reason, knowledge and definitely on the injunction of a divine revelation. The serious negativity of superstitions and/ past traditions that are meaningless is raised here through these verses.]]