بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِٱلْحَقِّ عَلَى ٱلْبَـٰطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهُۥ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ ۚ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ 18
Translations
Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.
Transliteration
Bal naqdhifu bil-haqqi 'alal-baatili fayad'maghuhu fa-idha huwa zahiqun wa-lakumul-wailу mimma tasifun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah drives truth against falsehood with force, causing falsehood to be shattered and vanish entirely. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this illustrates the inevitable triumph of divine truth over human lies and idolatry—whether through logical refutation, divine signs, or the establishment of Allah's religion. The final clause warns the disbelievers of destruction for their false descriptions and blasphemous claims about Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Anbiya, which emphasizes the stories of prophets and the inevitability of Allah's judgment. The verse responds to the Meccan polytheists' false descriptions of Allah (particularly their ascription of partners to Him and denial of the Resurrection). It reassures the Prophet Muhammad that the truth he carries will ultimately prevail over the idolatry and falsehood of his opponents.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of jihad is a word of justice before a tyrannical ruler' (Sunan Ibn Majah and others), reflecting the concept that truth conquers falsehood through divine means. Additionally, the Quranic principle that 'Falsehood by its nature must perish' resonates with the Prophet's assurance to believers that Allah's promise is always fulfilled.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that truth, backed by Allah's power, will ultimately prevail over falsehood regardless of how widespread or seemingly powerful falsehood may appear. For modern readers, it provides comfort that adhering to truth and justice, even when facing opposition, aligns with the divine order of the universe.
Related Ayahs
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend
ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient.
وَحَرَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَآ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
And it is prohibited to [the people of] a city which We have destroyed that they will [ever] return