إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِٱلسُّوٓءِ وَٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَأَن تَقُولُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 169
Translations
He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allāh what you do not know.
Transliteration
Innama ya'murukum bi-al-su'i wa-al-fahsha'i wa-an taqulu 'ala-Allah ma la ta'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Shaytan (Satan) commands people toward evil deeds, indecency, and making false claims about Allah without knowledge. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Shaytan's primary tools of deception are immoral actions and spreading ignorance about divine matters, leading people away from truth and righteousness. The ayah emphasizes that attributing falsehoods to Allah—whether regarding His laws, attributes, or commands—is among the gravest spiritual dangers.
Revelation Context
This verse appears within the broader context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of the conflict between good and evil, specifically in the passage addressing how Shaytan leads people astray (verses 168-169). It follows the ayah about forbidden sustenance, thematically connecting physical and moral corruption as tools of Shaytan's whispers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah and to attribute false things to Him' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant: 'Whoever speaks about the Qur'an without knowledge, let him take his seat in the Fire' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to be vigilant against both external moral temptations and the subtle danger of spreading religious claims without proper knowledge, reminding us that defending our faith requires both righteous conduct and informed understanding.
Related Ayahs
وَلِتَصْغَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَفْـِٔدَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلِيَرْضَوْهُ وَلِيَقْتَرِفُوا۟ مَا هُم مُّقْتَرِفُونَ
And [it is] so the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will incline toward it [i.e., deceptive speech] and that they will be satisfied with it and that they will commit that which they are committing.
وَإِخْوَٰنُهُمْ يَمُدُّونَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغَىِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقْصِرُونَ
But their brothers - they [i.e., the devils] increase them in error; then they do not stop short.
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
And indeed, they [i.e., the devils] avert them from the way [of guidance] while they think that they are [rightly] guided
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
They descend upon every sinful liar.