Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Mûsâ (Moses) said to them: "Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allâh, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allâh) will fail miserably."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
قَالَqālaSaid
لَهُمlahumto them
مُّوسَىٰmūsāMusa
وَيْلَكُمْwaylakumWoe to you
لَاlā(Do) not
تَفْتَرُوا۟taftarūinvent
عَلَىʿalāagainst
ٱللَّهِl-lahiAllah
كَذِبًۭاkadhibana lie
فَيُسْحِتَكُمfayus'ḥitakumlest He will destroy you
بِعَذَابٍۢ ۖbiʿadhābinwith a punishment
وَقَدْwaqadAnd verily
خَابَkhābahe failed
مَنِmaniwho
ٱفْتَرَىٰif'tarāinvented
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 61) ➊ {وَيْلَكُمْلَاتَفْتَرُوْاعَلَىاللّٰهِكَذِبًا : ’’ وَيْلَكُمْ ‘‘} "Woe to you" — while admonishing, a harsh word can also be used, as well as one of love and informality, just as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to Abu Basir (may Allah be pleased with him): [ وَيْلُأُمِّهِمِسْعَرَحَرْبٍ ][ بخاری، الشروط، باب الشروط في الجھاد… : ۲۷۳۱،۲۷۳۲] "May his mother perish! He is a man who stirs up war." Moses (peace be upon him) had first admonished Pharaoh, and now it was necessary to admonish his chiefs and magicians as well, so he both explained to them and warned them.
➋ { فَيُسْحِتَكُمْبِعَذَابٍ : ’’أَسْحَتَيُسْحِتُ‘‘ أَيْ ’’اِسْتَأْصَلَ‘‘} To uproot completely. If the tanween in {’’ بِعَذَابٍ ‘‘} is for indefiniteness, then the translation will be "with any punishment," and if it is for magnification, then "with a great punishment."
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
61. 1 When Pharaoh was encouraging the magicians to compete in the assembly and expressing his intention to reward them with gifts and special closeness, Prophet Musa (Moses) (AS) also admonished them before the competition and warned them of the divine punishment for their current behavior.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
At that time, Moses said to the people, "Woe to you! Do not fabricate lies against Allah, or He will destroy you with a punishment. For whoever invents a lie [43] has always failed."
[43] Musa's (peace be upon him) Warning to Pharaoh Before the Contest:
Musa (peace be upon him) addressed the chiefs of Pharaoh's people once again and warned them, saying: Woe to you! Even now, understand and do not call the miracle magic. When you have fully understood the reality, do not throw dust in the eyes of others. And whoever, after understanding the truth, denies it, Allah will afflict him with His punishment. Your false propaganda will be proven false, and a lie can never last long.