بَلْ أَتَيْنَـٰهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ 90
Translations
Rather, We have brought them the truth, and indeed they are liars.
Transliteration
Bal ataynāhum bil-ḥaqq wa-innahum lakādhībūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah asserts that Allah has indeed brought the truth (the Qur'an and the message of Islam) to the disbelievers, yet they persist in lying and rejecting it. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah emphasizes that the disbelievers' rejection is not due to lack of clarity in the message, but rather due to their willful denial and obstinacy. Al-Qurtubi notes that this refutation comes in response to the polytheists' false claims and distortions of the divine message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Mu'minun, which was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The broader context addresses the disbelievers' rejection of the clear signs and message of Allah, emphasizing that their rejection stems from dishonesty and rejection of truth rather than any deficiency in the message itself.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad.' (Sahih Muslim 867). This relates to the ayah's affirmation that Allah has brought the truth (al-haqq), which refers to the Qur'an as the ultimate source of guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that when people reject the truth, it is not due to its obscurity but to their own hearts' resistance and dishonesty. Believers should remain steadfast in conveying the message clearly while recognizing that ultimate guidance comes from Allah alone, and some may choose to deny despite evident truth.
Related Ayahs
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَبْعُوثِينَ
It [i.e., life] is not but our worldly life - we die and live, but we will not be resurrected.
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat.
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ فَأَنَّىٰ تُسْحَرُونَ
They will say, "[All belongs] to Allāh." Say, "Then how are you deluded?"
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا وَمَا نَحْنُ لَهُۥ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
He is not but a man who has invented a lie about Allāh, and we will not believe him."