O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?

[Qur'aan 61:2]


The scholars differed in regards to the cause of revelation for this Verse.


One group holds it was revealed in regards to those who wanted to know what the best deed was. They would say:


If we knew what the best deed is we would surely do it.


Then, Allaah revealed through His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) that the best deed is Jihaad.


These people disliked it and found it very difficult to carry out the command of Jihaad. So, they said they would do the best deed if only they knew what it was, and when they discovered what it was they disliked it and found it difficult to carry out. They said what they did not do.


The other group of scholars holds the opinion that this Verse was revealed regarding those who would boast they did such and such a thing while they had never done it. Allaah reprimanded them for this by means of this Verse.


Reference(s)
Tafsir al-Tabari
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