Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And why did you not, when you heard it, say: "It is not right for us to speak of this. Glory be to You (O Allâh)! This is a great lie."
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَوْلَآwalawlāAnd why not
إِذْidhwhen
سَمِعْتُمُوهُsamiʿ'tumūhuyou heard it
قُلْتُمqul'tumyou said
مَّاmāNot
يَكُونُyakūnuit is
لَنَآlanāfor us
أَنanthat
نَّتَكَلَّمَnatakallamawe speak
بِهَـٰذَاbihādhāof this
سُبْحَـٰنَكَsub'ḥānakaGlory be to You
هَـٰذَاhādhāThis
بُهْتَـٰنٌbuh'tānun(is) a slander
عَظِيمٌۭʿaẓīmungreat
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 16){ وَلَوْلَاۤاِذْسَمِعْتُمُوْهُقُلْتُمْ …:} In Ayah (13) earlier, the etiquette was taught that when something inappropriate is heard about good people, it is necessary to have a good opinion about them. Now, the second etiquette regarding this is stated: if, despite efforts, any whisper or thought comes to the heart, it should never be uttered, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ إِنَّاللّٰهَتَجَاوَزَلِأُمَّتِيْعَمَّاوَسْوَسَتْأَوْحَدَّثَتْبِهِأَنْفُسَهَامَالَمْتَعْمَلْبِهِأَوْتَكَلَّمْ ][ بخاري، الأیمان والنذور، باب إذا حنث ناسیا … : ۶۶۶۴، عن أبي ھریرۃ رضی اللہ عنہ ] "Allah the Exalted has pardoned my ummah for what they do within themselves, as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it." That is, when you heard this, instead of remaining silent about it, believing it, or spreading it further, why did you not say immediately that it is not our right to utter such a thing, rather, to express your intense aversion to such a thing, you should have also said: « سُبْحٰنَكَهٰذَابُهْتَانٌعَظِيْمٌ » You are pure; it is impossible that the wife of Your Prophet be tainted with the commission of indecency—this is a very great slander. Because it is simply not possible for a Prophet's wife to be immoral; she could be a disbeliever, but not immoral, because Prophets are sent to disbelievers, so it is necessary that whatever is considered detestable by disbelievers, they (the Prophets) are free from it, and it is obvious that a woman's immorality is considered detestable even by them.
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.
16-1. The second point Allah Almighty informed the believers is that they did not present a witness for this slander. While four witnesses were necessary for it, even then you did not call these slanderers liars. This is the reason that after the revelation of these verses, Hassaan, Mistah, and Hamnah bint Jahsh ؓ were subjected to the punishment of Qadhf. (Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 6). Abdullah bin Ubayy was not punished because the great punishment of the Hereafter was considered sufficient for him, while the believers were purified in this world by being punished. Secondly, there was a whole group behind him, and punishing him would have posed certain dangers that were difficult for the Muslims to deal with at that time. Therefore, for the sake of expediency, this punishment was avoided (Fath al-Qadir). (مسند احمد، جلد۔-6 عبد اللہ بن ابی کو سزا اس لئے نہیں دی گئی کہ اس کے لئے آخرت کے عذاب عظیم کو ہی کافی سمجھ لیا گیا اور مومنوں کو سزا دے کر دنیا ہی میں پاک کردیا گیا۔ دوسرے اس کے پیچھے ایک پورا جتھہ تھا، اس کو سزا دینے کی صورت میں کچھ ایسے خطرات تھے کہ جن سے نمٹنا اس وقت مسلمانوں کے لئے مشکل تھا، اس لئے مصلتًا اس سزا دینے سے گریز کیا گیا (فتح القدیر)
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
