Surah Al-A’raf Ayat 33 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 33
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.”
Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.
Tell them (O Muhammad): ‘My Lord has only forbidden indecent acts, whether overt or hidden; all manner of sin; wrongful transgression; and [He has forbidden] that you associate with Allah in His divinity that for which He has sent down no sanction; and that you ascribe to Allah things of which you have no sure knowledge that they are from Him.’
Say (O Muhammad SAW): “(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.”
Say: My Lord forbiddeth only indecencies, such of them as are apparent and such as are within, and sin and wrongful oppression, and that ye associate with Allah that for which no warrant hath been revealed, and that ye tell concerning Allah that which ye know not.
Say, “My Lord has only prohibited obscenities, (i.e., a dominations, unlawful sexual intercourse) whatever of (these) are outward and whatever are inward, and vice, and untruthful inequity, (Literally: with other than the truth) and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any all-binding authority, and that you say against Allah whatever you do not know.”
Say [Prophet], ‘My Lord only forbids disgraceful deeds- whether they be open or hidden- and sin and unjustified aggression, and that you, without His sanction, associate things with Him, and that you say things about Him without knowledge.’
آپ فرمائیے کہ البتہ میرے رب نے صرف حرام کیا ہے ان تمام فحش باتوں کو جو علانیہ ہیں اور جو پوشیده ہیں اور ہر گناه کی بات کو اور ناحق کسی پر ﻇلم کرنے کو اور اس بات کو کہ تم اللہ کے ساتھ کسی ایسی چیز کو شریک ٹھہراؤ جس کی اللہ نے کوئی سند نازل نہیں کی اور اس بات کو کہ تم لوگ اللہ کے ذمے ایسی بات لگادو جس کو تم جانتے نہیں
Quran 7 Verse 33 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Al-A’raf ayat 33, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(7:33) Tell them (O Muhammad): ‘My Lord has only forbidden indecent acts, whether overt or hidden;[24] all manner of sin;[25] wrongful transgression;[26] and [He has forbidden] that you associate with Allah in His divinity that for which He has sent down no sanction; and that you ascribe to Allah things of which you have no sure knowledge that they are from Him.’
24. For an elaboration of hidden and overt indecencies see Towards Understanding the Qur’an, vol. 11, (Surah Al-Anam, ayat 151) note 128, 131.
25. The word ithm denotes negligence, dereliction of duty. Athimah signifies the she-camel which, though capable of running at a fast pace, deliberately moves slowly. The meaning of the word, therefore, carries the idea of sin. Viewed in the context of man, the word convey’s the sense of man’s deliberate neglect of his duty to God, his failure to pursue God’s good pleasure despite his having the capacity to obey and follow Him.
26. To exceed the limits set by God and to enter an area which has been declared out of bounds for man constitute rebellion and transgression. According to this definition of baghy, the charge of rebellion will apply to all those who act according to their whims rather than in accordance with the directives of God. It is applicable to those who behave as though they are the true masters of God’s Kingdom, claiming for themselves the prerogatives of God. It also applies to all those who usurp the rights of others.
Ibn-Kathir
33. Say: “(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are the Fawahish (immoral deeds) whether committed openly or secretly, and Ithm, and transgression without right, and joining partners with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.”
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(None is more jealous than Allah, and this is why He prohibited Fawahish, committed openly or in secret. And none likes praise more than Allah). This was also recorded in the Two Sahihs. In the explanation of Surat Al-An`am, we explained the Fahishah that is committed openly and in secret. Allah said next,
(and Ithm, and transgression without right,) ﴿7:33﴾. As-Suddi commented, “Al-Ithm means, `disobedience’. As for unrighteous oppression, it occurs when you transgress against people without justification.” Mujahid said, “Ithm includes all types of disobedience. Allah said that the oppressor commits oppression against himself.” Therefore, the meaning of, Ithm is the sin that one commits against himself, while `oppression’ pertains to transgression against other people, and Allah prohibited both. Allah’s statement,
(and joining partners with Allah for which He has given no authority, ) prohibits calling partners with Allah in worship.
(and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.) such as lies and inventions, like claiming that Allah has a son, and other evil creeds that you — O idolators — have no knowledge of. This is similar to His saying:
(So shun the abomination (worshipping) of the idols) ﴿22:30﴾.
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