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
وَأَدْخَلْنَـٰهُ فِى رَحْمَتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
And We admitted him into Our mercy. Indeed, he was of the righteous.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَـٰهُمَا ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
فَفَهَّمْنَـٰهَا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ ۚ وَكُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].