إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّسِىٓءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُحِلُّونَهُۥ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُۥ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِـُٔوا۟ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا۟ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ أَعْمَـٰلِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ 37
Translations
Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allāh and [thus] make lawful what Allāh has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.
Transliteration
Innama an-nasee'u ziyadatun fi al-kufr. Yudhallu bihi allatheena kafaroo. Yuhilloonahu aaman wa yuharrimuunahu aaman liyuwatee'oo iddatal ma harrama Allah. Fayuhilloon ma harrama Allah. Zuyyina lahum soo'u a'malihim. Wa-Allahu la yahdee al-qawma al-kafirin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah condemns the practice of Nasi' (postponement of sacred months), a pre-Islamic Arabian practice where the Quraysh would shift the sanctity of forbidden months to suit their commercial and military interests. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the Quraysh would declare certain months as sacred to match the number of months Allah had forbidden, but they would manipulate which months were actually sacred, thereby making permissible what Allah had forbidden. This ayah reveals that such deceptive practices constitute an increase in disbelief and are a form of misguidance that adorns evil deeds in the hearts of the disbelievers.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period as part of Surah At-Tawbah's discussion of the covenant with the polytheists and their violations. It specifically addresses the corrupt practices of the pre-Islamic Arabs regarding the lunar calendar and the sanctity of months (Months of Haram). The context is the hajj season and the Quraysh's manipulation of Islamic law to serve their interests.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Abbas reported: 'The Nasi' was an increase in the number of forbidden months. The Quraysh used to add a month to the lunar year so they could make lawful what Allah had made forbidden.' (Related in Tafsir works). Also relevant: The Prophet's Farewell Sermon addressed the restoration of the true lunar calendar, confirming that the year consists of twelve months as ordained by Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that attempting to circumvent or reinterpret Allah's clear prohibitions—whether through intellectual dishonesty, cultural manipulation, or self-deception—is a form of disbelief that leads to spiritual misguidance. Muslims must maintain integrity in following divine commands and resist the temptation to rationalize departures from revealed truth for worldly gain.
Related Ayahs
أَلَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِإِخْرَاجِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Would you not fight against a people who broke their oaths and determined to expel the Messenger, and they had begun [the attack upon] you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allāh has more right that you should fear Him, if you are [truly] believers.
فَرِحَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلَـٰفَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَرِهُوٓا۟ أَن يُجَـٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَنفِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَرِّ ۗ قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرًّا ۚ لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ يَفْقَهُونَ
Those who remained behind rejoiced in their staying [at home] after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh and disliked to strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allāh and said, "Do not go forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is more intense in heat" - if they would but understand.
لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلضُّعَفَآءِ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرْضَىٰ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ مَا يُنفِقُونَ حَرَجٌ إِذَا نَصَحُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ مَا عَلَى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ مِن سَبِيلٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
There is not upon the weak or upon the ill or upon those who do not find anything to spend any discomfort [i.e., guilt] when they are sincere to Allāh and His Messenger. There is not upon the doers of good any cause [for blame]. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
لَقَدِ ٱبْتَغَوُا۟ ٱلْفِتْنَةَ مِن قَبْلُ وَقَلَّبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأُمُورَ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَهُمْ كَـٰرِهُونَ
They had already desired dissension before and had upset matters for you until the truth came and the ordinance [i.e., victory] of Allāh appeared, while they were averse.