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
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ
He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْوَعْدَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَآءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Then We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا ۚ فَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.