وَبِكُفْرِهِمْ وَقَوْلِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ بُهْتَـٰنًا عَظِيمًا 156
Translations
And [We cursed them] for their disbelief and their saying against Mary a great slander
Transliteration
Wa bikufrihim wa qawlihim 'ala Maryama buhtan 'aziman
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the disbelief of the Jews and their grave slander against Mary (Maryam), the mother of Jesus, accusing her of immoral conduct. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this represents one of the major transgressions of those who rejected faith, combining both kufr (disbelief) and spreading false accusations against a righteous woman. The Quran condemns such slander as 'buhtan azim' (a tremendous falsehood), highlighting how defamation of the innocent is among the gravest sins, particularly when directed at those of exemplary character.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Nisa's discussion of the Children of Israel and their rejection of the prophets. It specifically addresses the historical accusation made by some Jews against Mary's chastity, which is also referenced in other parts of the Quran (Surah Maryam 19:27-28). The revelation context serves to defend Mary's honor and condemn the spreading of false rumors as a form of disbelief and moral corruption.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized the gravity of slander, stating that spreading false accusations is among the gravest sins (Jami' at-Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that spreading false accusations and slander against others, especially against the virtuous and innocent, is a grave sin linked to disbelief itself. Muslims are obligated to protect people's reputations, verify information before spreading it, and recognize that defending the honor of others is a matter of faith and moral integrity.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِٱلْحَقِّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
O mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ كَانُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
۞ فَلْيُقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
So let those fight in the cause of Allāh who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allāh and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ أَوْ جَآءُوكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُورُهُمْ أَن يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ أَوْ يُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقَـٰتَلُوكُمْ ۚ فَإِنِ ٱعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلًا
Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty or those who come to you, their hearts strained at [the prospect of] fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allāh had willed, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allāh has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them.