An-Nahl (The Bee)

116. “And do not utter whatever lie your tongues describe (saying): ‘This is lawful and this is forbidden’ in order to forge falsehood against Allah. Verily those who forge falsehood against Allah will not prosper.”

117. “A brief enjoyment (will be theirs) while for them is a painful punishment (in Hereafter).”

These two noble verses condemn whatever analysis or bans which are not based on the Divine law, considering it to be attributing false words to Allah in order to arrive at the insignificant petty worldly goods.

Therefore, this verse describes explicitly the issue which the pagans had raised with regard to their baseless bans which were already implicitly discussed, saying: Stop saying such a thing is allowed and the other one is forbidden by religion, charging Allah with false accusations.

The verse says:

“And do not utter whatever lie your tongues describe (saying): ‘This is lawful and this is forbidden’ in order to forge falsehood against Allah…”

That is, this is a clear lie which has only been uttered by your mouth. You falsely ban certain things and forbid certain other things by yourselves. Allusion is here being made to the four-footed animals some of which were marked as allowed while others were considered as forbidden by them, and others were allocated to the idols.

Has Allah entitled you to legislate in such a way? Or else, your superstitious beliefs and blind obedience have led you to hold such innovations?

To issue a serious warning, the Qur’an declares at the end of the verse:

“…Verily those who forge falsehood against Allah will not prosper.”

In principle, lying and false accusations and allegations are the sources of misfortune and of not being salvaged, no matter who is concerned, lest the one in question should be Allah, the Almighty.

Thus, in the second holy verse, He explains the reasons for the lack of salvation as: It is a meagre advantage which is allocated to them in this world, while they must be prepared for a painful punishment which is awaiting them.

The verse says:

“A brief enjoyment (will be theirs) while for them is a painful punishment (in Hereafter).”

As for the meagre advantage referred to might be an allusion to the dead animals in the wombs which they regarded as ‘allowed’ (Halal) and the meat of which was used by them.

At any rate, to exceed the limits of what is ‘allowed’ or ‘forbidden’ will be followed by both the wretchedness of this world and the painful punishment of the Hereafter.