Iftira

Iftira is a term of Arabic origin used in several languages, including Arabic and Swahili, to denote the act of fabricating or attributing falsehoods to someone. The word derives from the verb aftara (افتري), meaning to fabricate or to ascribe a falsehood. The noun form, iftira, refers to fabrication, falsehood, or calumny.

In religious and legal discourse, iftira covers the act of falsely attributing statements, crimes, or actions to another person, or the creation of forged documents. In Islamic scholarship, fabricating sayings or reports attributed to the Prophet Muhammad is regarded as a serious form of deception; the precise technical term for fabricated hadith is maudu, but iftira encompasses false attributions in a broader sense.

Modern usage extends to media, politics, and everyday speech, where iftira commonly translates to slander or calumny—making false accusations or presenting forged evidence about someone. Many legal systems treat such acts as defamation, perjury, or forgery, depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the falsehood. The concept often emphasizes intent, distinguishing between a mistaken claim and deliberate falsehood.

See also: defamation, calumny, slander, forgery, false testimony.