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
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦٓ إِثْمًا مُّبِينًا
Look how they invent about Allāh untruth, and sufficient is that as a manifest sin.
وَلَئِنْ أَصَـٰبَكُمْ فَضْلٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لَيَقُولَنَّ كَأَن لَّمْ تَكُنۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُۥ مَوَدَّةٌ يَـٰلَيْتَنِى كُنتُ مَعَهُمْ فَأَفُوزَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
But if bounty comes to you from Allāh, he will surely say, as if [i.e., showing that] there had never been between you and him any affection, "Oh, I wish I had been with them so I could have attained a great attainment."
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا۟ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allāh, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace, "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allāh are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allāh conferred His favor [i.e., guidance] upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allāh is ever, of what you do, Aware.
لَّيْسَ بِأَمَانِيِّكُمْ وَلَآ أَمَانِىِّ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا يُجْزَ بِهِۦ وَلَا يَجِدْ لَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
It [i.e., Paradise] is not [obtained] by your wishful thinking nor by that of the People of the Scripture. Whoever does a wrong will be recompensed for it, and he will not find besides Allāh a protector or a helper.