سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ

Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 107

The Table · Medinan · Juz 7 · Page 125

فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنَّهُمَا ٱسْتَحَقَّآ إِثْمًا فَـَٔاخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَوْلَيَـٰنِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ لَشَهَـٰدَتُنَآ أَحَقُّ مِن شَهَـٰدَتِهِمَا وَمَا ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ إِنَّآ إِذًا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿107﴾
If then it gets known that these two had been guilty of sin, let two others stand forth in their places, nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right. Let them swear by Allâh (saying): "We affirm that our testimony is truer than that of both of them, and that we have not trespassed (the truth), for then indeed we should be of the wrong-doers."
فَإِنْ fa-in Then if
عُثِرَ ʿuthira it is discovered
عَلَىٰٓ ʿalā (on)
أَنَّهُمَا annahumā that the two
ٱسْتَحَقَّآ is'taḥaqqā (were) guilty
إِثْمًۭا ith'man (of) sin
فَـَٔاخَرَانِ faākharāni then (let) two others
يَقُومَانِ yaqūmāni stand
مَقَامَهُمَا maqāmahumā (in) their place
مِنَ mina from
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those who
ٱسْتَحَقَّ is'taḥaqqa have a lawful right
عَلَيْهِمُ ʿalayhimu over them
ٱلْأَوْلَيَـٰنِ l-awlayāni the former two
فَيُقْسِمَانِ fayuq'simāni and let them both swear
بِٱللَّهِ bil-lahi by Allah
لَشَهَـٰدَتُنَآ lashahādatunā Surely our testimony
أَحَقُّ aḥaqqu (is) truer
مِن min than
شَهَـٰدَتِهِمَا shahādatihimā testimony of the other two
وَمَا wamā and not
ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ iʿ'tadaynā we have transgressed
إِنَّآ innā Indeed, we
إِذًۭا idhan then
لَّمِنَ lamina (will be) of
ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ l-ẓālimīna the wrongdoers

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

17. 1. That is, they have sworn false oaths.
17. 2. "Ouliyan" is the dual of "Oula," meaning the two closest relatives of the deceased, i.e., the one who made the will (the testator). "Min alladhina istuḥiqqa 'alayhim" means those against whom the sin was committed, i.e., by swearing a false oath, the wealth that was to be given to them was usurped. "Al-awliyan" is either the predicate of a hidden subject or is a substitute for the pronoun in "yaquman" or "akhiran." That is, these two closest relatives will swear their oaths in response to their false oaths.

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.

107. But if it is discovered that those two (witnesses) have been guilty of sin (false testimony), then let two others who are more worthy stand in their place from among those who have a rightful claim against them, and let them swear by Allah: "Our testimony is truer than their testimony, and we have not transgressed. If we do so, then surely we are of the wrongdoers."

[155] The central theme of this incident and these verses is that testimony should always be given accurately and truthfully, and this subject has appeared in numerous places in the Noble Quran. False, ambiguous, or manipulative testimony has been declared a major sin. This is also made clear by the following hadith.

False Testimony is a Major Sin:

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq ؓ narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said to the Companions, "Shall I not inform you of the greatest of sins?" The Companions said, "O Messenger of Allah! Please do tell us." He said, "Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents." At that time, he was reclining, then he sat up straight and said, "Beware! False speech and false testimony. Beware! False speech and false testimony." He kept repeating these words. I thought he would not stop. [بخاري كتاب الادب۔ باب عقوق الوالدين من الكبائر ، مسلم۔ كتاب الايمان۔ باب بيان الكبائر و اكبرها]