سُوْرَةُ المَآئِدَةِ

Surah Al-Maaida (5) — Ayah 63

The Table · Medinan · Juz 6 · Page 118

لَوْلَا يَنْهَىٰهُمُ ٱلرَّبَّـٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ ٱلْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿63﴾
Why do not the rabbis and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful words and from eating illegal things. Evil indeed is that which they have been performing.
لَوْلَا lawlā Why (do) not
يَنْهَىٰهُمُ yanhāhumu forbid them
ٱلرَّبَّـٰنِيُّونَ l-rabāniyūna the Rabbis
وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ wal-aḥbāru and the religious scholars
عَن ʿan from
قَوْلِهِمُ qawlihimu their saying
ٱلْإِثْمَ l-ith'ma the sinful
وَأَكْلِهِمُ wa-aklihimu and their eating
ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ l-suḥ'ta (of) the forbidden
لَبِئْسَ labi'sa Surely, evil
مَا (is) what
كَانُوا۟ kānū they used to
يَصْنَعُونَ yaṣnaʿūna do

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.

63. 1. This is a reproach against the scholars and spiritual leaders of the religion, as well as the devout worshippers and ascetics, that the majority of the common people commit immorality and consume what is forbidden in front of you, yet you do not stop them. In such circumstances, your silence is a great crime. This makes it clear how important enjoining good and forbidding evil is, and how severe the warning (punishment) is for abandoning it. This subject has also been explained in detail and abundance in the ahadith.

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.

63. Why do their rabbis and scholars not forbid them from sinful speech and from consuming what is unlawful [104]? Evil indeed is what they are doing.

[104] Previously, the moral decline of the common people among the Jews was described. Now, the condition of their elite, that is, their scholars and elders, is being mentioned: they remain silent regarding the deeds of the common people and do not fulfill their responsibility of forbidding evil (for the importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil in the Shariah, see Surah Al-Imran, verses 104 and 110). Thus, both the common people and the elite among the Jews are committing very evil deeds.