وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا ٱكْتَسَبُوا۟ فَقَدِ ٱحْتَمَلُوا۟ بُهْتَـٰنًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا 58
Translations
And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned [i.e., deserved] have certainly borne upon themselves a slander and manifest sin.
Transliteration
Wa alladhīna yu'dhūn al-mu'minīn wa al-mu'minātī bighayri mā iktasabū faqad ihtamalū buhtānan wa ithman mubīnā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns those who harm believers—both men and women—by accusing them of sins they did not commit. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this specifically addresses slander and false accusations that damage someone's reputation without factual basis. Those who engage in such behavior bear the burden of a grave lie and manifest sin, as they fabricate charges against the innocent. The emphasis on harming both believing men and women indicates the universal application of this prohibition regardless of gender.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Ahzab, revealed in Medina during a period when the Muslim community faced internal and external challenges. The broader context of the surah addresses the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab) and social ethics within the Muslim community. This particular ayah likely addresses the culture of gossip and false accusations that can poison community relations, emphasizing the protection of believers' honor and dignity.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sins are to associate partners with Allah, to disobey parents, to commit murder, and to bear false witness' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet warned that 'whoever accuses a believer of disbelief has committed a grave sin,' emphasizing the severity of false accusations against the faithful.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must guard their tongues and refrain from spreading accusations or gossip about others, especially without evidence, as false accusations constitute a serious sin that harms both the accused and the accuser. This ayah teaches that integrity in speech and protecting others' reputations is a fundamental Islamic value that strengthens community bonds and pleases Allah.