وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُۥٓ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 68
Translations
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allāh or denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a [sufficient] residence for the disbelievers?
Transliteration
Wa man azlamu mimman iftara alallahi kathiban aw kadhdhaba bil-haqqi lamma jaahu. Alaysa fi jahannama mathwan lil-kafireen.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns two grave sins: fabricating lies against Allah and rejecting the truth when it arrives. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that inventing false claims about Allah's religion and denying His signs constitute the greatest injustice (zulm), as they lead people astray and distort divine guidance. The ayah concludes with a rhetorical question affirming that Hell is the rightful abode for those who commit these sins of disbelief and deception.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah Al-'Ankabut, which addresses the early Muslim community facing persecution and testing of their faith. It contextualizes the spiritual dangers faced by the Muslim community when encountering stubborn rejection and deliberate distortion of Islamic truth by their opponents in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, and the next is to lie' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, 'Whoever intentionally attributes a lie to me should prepare his seat in the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari 110).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that distorting divine truth and consciously rejecting clear guidance are among the greatest spiritual crimes, serving as a stern warning against theological dishonesty and willful denial of Allah's signs. For modern readers, it underscores the importance of sincere seeking of truth and the serious responsibility of speaking about matters of faith with accuracy and integrity.
Related Ayahs
وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَآ ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
But they say, "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The signs are only with Allāh, and I am only a clear warner."
۞ وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَـٰهُنَا وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ وَٰحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."