وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ 7
Translations
Woe to every sinful liar
Transliteration
Wa-ilun li-kulli affakin atheem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah pronounces a stern warning of destruction and misery upon every habitual liar and grave sinner. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'affak' (أفَّاك) refers to one who lies excessively and persistently, while 'athim' (أثيم) means one laden with sin, particularly the sin of rejecting Allah's signs. The warning encompasses both the fabrication of false claims against Allah and the commission of major sins without repentance.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Jathiyah addresses the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the Qur'an and the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This ayah appears within a section condemning those who turn away from Allah's signs despite clear evidence, reflecting the broader Meccan context of warning against persistent disbelief and moral corruption.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in Sahih Bukhari: 'The worst lie is that a man fabricates a lie about me, or a man attributes to me what I did not say.' This hadith reinforces the gravity of deliberate falsehood, particularly regarding religious matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that habitual dishonesty combined with sin is spiritually destructive and draws divine displeasure; believers should cultivate truthfulness and repentance as shields against such spiritual ruin.