"Do Not Think Those Who Rejoice in What They Have Done" — False Praise and Bearing False Witness
asbab
Level: intermediate
madani-events
as-080
وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحۡمَدُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَفۡعَلُواْ
— آل عمران 188
Verse: "Do not think those who rejoice in what they have done and love to be praised for what they have not done." (3:188)
Occasion (Agreed upon): Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Ibn Abbas: Marwan asked Abu Said: does someone rejoice in what they didn't do? Ibn Abbas said: it was revealed about People of the Book who announced what they didn't do and loved praise for what they didn't do (like claiming to teach while concealing).
Authenticity: Agreed upon
Source: Sahih Bukhari & Muslim; Lubab Al-Nuqul
Question: About whom was "they love to be praised for what they have not done" revealed according to Ibn Abbas?
Answer: About People of the Book who claimed to teach people while concealing the truth, then sought praise for work they did not do.