What is the interpretation of the Most High's saying: {But whoever is compelled, being neither a transgressor nor an aggressor, there is no sin upon him}?

The answer is summarized in the interpretations of Al-Sa'di and Ibn Kathir regarding the verse: "But whoever is forced by necessity, neither desiring it nor transgressing beyond what is allowed, then there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

Al-Sa'di interprets it as follows: The one who is forced (al-mudtarr) is he who is compelled to consume what is forbidden (due to hunger or coercion). "Neither desiring it" (ghayra bāghin) means not seeking the forbidden while being able to access what is permissible. "Nor transgressing beyond what is allowed" (wa lā 'ādin) means not exceeding the limit permitted to him due to necessity. In such a case, the person in necessity must eat, and he sins if he refrains from eating until he dies.

As for Ibn Kathir, he transmits different opinions from other exegetes; among them: "neither desiring it" refers to one who is not a highway robber or one who separates himself from the Imams (leaders), and that one who is engaged in disobedience is not granted a dispensation. Another opinion is "not deeming it lawful." Another is that he should not seek his appetite in it, nor roast the dead animal, nor eat more than a mere mouthful, nor exceed what is permissible.

In summary, the verse means that whoever is forced to eat what is forbidden, without desire or transgression, bears no sin; rather, he is obligated to eat.