قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ 69
Translations
Say, "Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allāh will not succeed."
Transliteration
Qul inna alladhina yaftaruna 'ala allahi alkidha la yuflihun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that those who fabricate lies and attribute false statements to Allah will not succeed or prosper in this life or the hereafter. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this encompasses false claims about Allah's nature, commands, and revelations, and that such falsehood is among the gravest sins. Al-Tabari notes that 'aflah' (succeed) encompasses both worldly and spiritual failure, as the liar's deeds and intentions are fundamentally corrupted.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah of Yunus, which addresses the polytheists of Mecca who invented false claims about Allah—attributing partners to Him, denying His revelations, and spreading misinformation about the Prophet Muhammad. The broader context of this surah (ayahs 68-70) deals with the refutation of those who make unfounded religious claims and the vindication of the Prophet's truthfulness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever lies about me intentionally, let him take his place in the Fire' (Sahih Bukhari 1291). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, and to lie about Him or about His Messenger' (Musnad Ahmad).
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must guard their tongues from fabricating lies about Islam, Allah's commands, or the Prophet's teachings, understanding that falsehood is spiritually destructive and leads to failure in both worlds; we should seek knowledge from authentic sources and speak with integrity in matters of faith.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكْرٌ فِىٓ ءَايَاتِنَا ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسْرَعُ مَكْرًا ۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكْتُبُونَ مَا تَمْكُرُونَ
And when We give the people a taste of mercy after adversity has touched them, at once they conspire against Our verses. Say, "Allāh is swifter in strategy." Indeed, Our messengers [i.e., angels] record that which you conspire.
وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
And never be of those who deny the signs of Allāh and [thus] be among the losers.
قُلِ ٱنظُرُوا۟ مَاذَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Say, "Observe what is in the heavens and the earth." But of no avail will be signs or warners to a people who do not believe.
قَالَ قَدْ أُجِيبَت دَّعْوَتُكُمَا فَٱسْتَقِيمَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعَآنِّ سَبِيلَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
[Allāh] said, "Your supplication has been answered." So remain on a right course and follow not the way of those who do not know."