أَلَآ إِنَّهُم مِّنْ إِفْكِهِمْ لَيَقُولُونَ 151
Translations
Unquestionably, it is out of their [invented] falsehood that they say,
Transliteration
Alā innahum min ifkihim layaqūlūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the false claims of the polytheists who attributed daughters to Allah, stating that from their fabrications and lies they say such things. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that the phrase 'min ifkihim' (from their fabrications) underscores the baselessness of their assertions, highlighting how these claims originated purely from human invention and deviation from truth rather than from any divine revelation or rational basis.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's refutation of pagan Arab beliefs, specifically their practice of attributing daughters to Allah while claiming sons for themselves—a contradiction the Quran repeatedly condemns. The surah uses this theme to demonstrate the irrationality and moral inconsistency of polytheistic theology.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Surah An-Nahl 16:57 which discusses the same false attribution. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains reports about how the Quraysh invented false claims about the divine nature, emphasizing the Quranic principle that such statements are pure fabrication (ifk) without evidential basis.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that false religious doctrines often originate from human whim and fabrication rather than truth, teaching us to critically examine claims against revelation and reason. It encourages steadfastness in monotheistic belief and caution against adopting beliefs merely because they are culturally prevalent.
Related Ayahs
إِلَّا مَنْ هُوَ صَالِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Except he who is to [enter and] burn in the Hellfire.
قَالُوا۟ بَل لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
They [i.e., the oppressors] will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers,
فَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ يُهْرَعُونَ
So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.
لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ
No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.