وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ
“And the meat of a bird”
طَيْرٍ is presented in an undefined form: “a bird”, without specifying any particular kind. The wording leaves the type open rather than narrowing it to one species.
Language Points
A careful reading of the ayah’s wording.
مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
Qualified by desire
The only qualification given is “from what they desire or crave”. The emphasis is not on naming the bird, but on the fulfillment of what is inwardly desired.
Contrast in Expression
This ayah’s wording contrasts with the fruit mentioned before it.
With the fruit, it was described as from what they select; with the meat of bird, it is from what they desire and crave.
Fruit
- Fruit is described in terms of selection.
- This suggests choosing among what is already present.
- Ar-Razi’s insight associates fruit with the state of one whose appetite has already been satisfied.
Bird Meat
- Bird meat is described in terms of desire and craving.
- The wording centers on what the soul wants, not on categorization.
- Ar-Razi’s insight associates meat with stronger appetite and inclination.
Tafsir Insight Quoted from Ar-Razi
A tafsir insight on the ayah’s imagery and wording.
Inclination of the hungry person
Ar-Razi says that when meat and fruit are presented before a hungry person, he inclines toward the meat. In this framing, the hungry person is desirous.
Inclination after appetite is satisfied
When the same foods are presented before one whose appetite has been satisfied, he inclines toward the fruit. He is not described as desirous in the same way, but rather as choosing.
An indication about fruit
There is an indication that fruit is in constant presence. This supports the language of selection: one chooses from what is already available.
An image regarding bird meat
A bird flies, and when the believer’s soul inclines toward its flesh, it descends roasted or fried according to what he desires.
Key Concepts Mapped
A visual educational summary of the ayah’s main ideas.
طَيْرٍ
Indefinite wording: not a specified species, but “a bird” in open form.
مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
The focus shifts from naming to desire: what is wanted and craved.
يَتَخَيَّرُونَ
This earlier idea of selection is contrasted with the stronger wording of desire in this ayah.
يَشْتَهُونَ
Desire indicates active inclination, especially in the Ar-Razi comparison between fruit and meat.
Structured Takeaways
A concise educational synthesis.
1. The unspecified bird matters
The verse does not define the type of bird. This makes the experience broad and open, while the real emphasis falls on fulfillment of desire.
2. Desire is stronger than mere choice
The wording carefully distinguishes between what is selected and what is craved.
3. Fruit and meat are not framed identically
Fruit is associated with ongoing presence and selection, while bird meat is associated with longing, appetite, and inclination.
4. The imagery is responsive to desire
The tafsir image presents meat as arriving in accordance with what is desired, even described as descending roasted or fried according to that desire.