In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مَنۡ إِن تَأۡمَنۡهُ بِقِنطَارٍ۬ يُؤَدِّهِۦۤ إِلَيۡكَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ إِن تَأۡمَنۡهُ بِدِينَارٍ۬ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِۦۤ إِلَيۡكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِ قَآٮِٕمً۬ا‌ۗ ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَالُواْ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡنَا فِى ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ سَبِيلٌ۬ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Among the people of the Scripture is he who, if entrusted with a Cantar [a great amount of wealth, etc.], will readily pay it back; and among them there is he who, if entrusted with a single silver coin, will not repay it unless you constantly stand demanding, because they say: ‘’There is no blame on us to betray and take the properties of the illiterates (Arabs).” But they tell a lie against Allah while they know it. [Aal Imran. 75]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

They made corrupt claims and held repulsive views, considered themselves to be possessors of great status and that the illiterate Arabs were extremely degraded; therefore, the rights of the illiterate Arabs could be violated.

So, through these corrupt claims and repulsive views, they ate haram and considered it lawful by way of creed. Likewise, they lied against Allah because the scholar who declares things lawful or unlawful is considered- by the people- as one transmitting Allah’s Judgement and not from himself. Allah said:

وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُون

But they tell a lie against Allah while they know it]. This is one of the greatest sins-speaking about Allaah without knowledge.

An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan.