(116) “Do not falsely declare with your tongues, ‘This is lawful and this is unlawful,’”

That is, do not declare things forbidden or lawful of your own accord, thereby lying about Allah, fabricating lies against Him, and falsely attributing statements to Him.

“Thus fabricating lies against Allah. Indeed, those who fabricate lies against Allah will never prosper”—neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. Allah will inevitably expose them to disgrace. Even if they enjoy themselves in this world, it is “only a brief enjoyment,” and their destination is the Fire, “and they will suffer a painful punishment.”

Allah Most High has forbidden us only impure things, out of grace toward us and to safeguard us from everything repugnant.

As for those who became Jews, Allah forbade them wholesome things that had been lawful to them because of their wrongdoing, as a punishment for them. He related this in Surah al-An‘ām, in His words:

“To those who became Jews, We forbade every animal with an undivided hoof; and of cattle and sheep, We forbade them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or entrails, or is mixed with bone. Thus We punished them for their transgression, and We are indeed truthful.”