This verse speaks about four types of cattle, the bahirah, saibah, wasilah and ham. We have passed by the discussion about the types of cattle which are allowed and forbidden by Allah (swt). There is an Islamic legal maxim which states: (The original ruling for something is Ibahah (permissible) as long as there is no decisive evidence of its prohibition.) So, who has the authority to rule things as unlawful? The answer is Allah (swt), followed by the noble Prophet (saws). No human being can rule anything as lawful or unlawful from his own self. This is because, Allah (swt) is the One who created everything, and knows what is most suitable for them. Thus, it is only fitting that the Creator manages the matters of His Creation, and not they themselves manage their affairs.
The Bahirah is a type of cattle. It is she-camel whose ear has a long cleave on it to indicate that she is prohibited, and thus cannot be milked or disturbed by anyone.
The Saibah is a cattle or camel which is not tied due to a Nazar (vow). It is allowed to eat what it wishes, and people are prohibited to go near it.
The Wasilah is a sheep that has given birth seven times, each time delivering two females. If it delivers a male after that, it cannot be slaughtered for women. It is also said that she is a virgin she-camel who gives birth to two females consecutively without a male in between. They would designate her for their gods.
The Ham is the male horse whose back is protected from being ridden.
The polytheists of that time had prohibited these four types of cattle; thus, they were not to be touched. This was a norm inherited from their forefathers during Jahiliya. So, Allah (swt) says:
(… مَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ مِن بَحِيرَةٍ وَلَا سَائِبَةٍ وَلَا وَصِيلَةٍ وَلَا حَامٍ ) (Allah has not appointed [such innovations as] bahirah or sa’ibah or wasilah or ham …): They have invented falsehood about Allah by prohibiting these things, since what is Halal and Haram are very clear, as explained by Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saws).
( وَلَٰكِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ ۖ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ … ) (…But those who disbelieve invent falsehood about Allah, and most of them do not reason): As long as there is no text prohibiting these cattle, why are they prohibited by these polytheists? The answer is that it is because most of them do not reason and do not make use of their intellect.