وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ 93
Translations
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allāh or says, "It has been inspired to me," while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, "I will reveal [something] like what Allāh revealed." And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], "Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allāh other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant."
Transliteration
Wa man azlamu mimman iftara ala Allahi kathiban aw qala uhiya ilayya wa lam yuha ilayhi shay'un wa man qala sa-unazzilu mithla ma anzala Allahu wa law tara idha al-zalimun fi ghamerati al-mawti wa al-mala'ikatu basitwu aydihin akhrigu anfusakum al-yawma tujzawna adhaba al-hawni bima kuntum taqulun ala Allahi ghayra al-haqqi wa kuntum an ayatihi tastakbirun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns three grave transgressions: fabricating lies against Allah, falsely claiming revelation, and boasting of producing scripture like the Qur'an. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these represent the ultimate forms of arrogance and deception. The ayah then vividly depicts the terrifying moment of death when angels command the souls of wrongdoers to depart, promising them humiliating punishment (adhab al-hawn) for their rejection of Allah's truth and arrogant disdain of His signs.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-An'am is a Meccan chapter revealed to address the polytheists' fabrications, denials, and false claims of prophethood and revelation. This ayah contextually responds to the Meccan pagans' rejection of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and their invention of false gods and doctrines, establishing that no greater injustice exists than lying about Allah's revelation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, then to fabricate lies against Allah or His Messenger' (variations recorded in Musnad Ahmad and other collections). Additionally, the Prophet warned severely against false claims of revelation: 'Whoever lies about me intentionally, let him take his seat in the Hellfire' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that lying about Allah's revelation and arrogantly rejecting His signs are among the gravest sins with the most severe consequences, while encouraging us to cherish and respect authentic divine guidance. It serves as a sobering reminder that we will be held accountable for our words and claims, especially those concerning religion and truth.