أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا ۖ فَإِن يَشَإِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْتِمْ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ ۗ وَيَمْحُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ وَيُحِقُّ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 24
Translations
Or do they say, "He has invented about Allāh a lie"? But if Allāh willed, He could seal over your heart. And Allāh eliminates falsehood and establishes the truth by His words. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Transliteration
Am yaqooloon iftara 'ala Allahi kathiban fa-in yasha Allahu yakhtem 'ala qalbik wa yamhu Allahu al-batil wa yuhiqq al-haqq bi-kalimatihi innahu 'alimun bi-dhat as-sudur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the false accusation of the disbelievers that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fabricated lies against Allah. The ayah assures the Prophet that if Allah willed, He could seal the hearts of those who reject the truth, but instead Allah preserves the Prophet's heart and continues to distinguish between falsehood and truth through His words. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse emphasizes Allah's knowledge of all hidden intentions and His power to guide or seal hearts as He wills.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the Meccan period of Surah Ash-Shuraa, which addresses the fundamental principles of monotheism and the prophethood of Muhammad against the polytheists' objections. The verse responds directly to the Meccan disbelievers' common accusation that the Qur'an was fabricated by the Prophet, providing reassurance of divine protection and the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood.
Related Hadiths
The concept of Allah sealing hearts is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the hadith: 'When the believer sins, a black spot appears on his heart, and if he repents, the spot is removed' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the principle of Allah knowing what is in hearts is supported by numerous hadiths on taqwa and sincerity (e.g., Sahih Muslim 1031).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should find comfort that Allah protects truth and ultimately distinguishes it from falsehood, regardless of the accusations and slanders of those who reject faith. This ayah teaches that sincere adherence to truth matters more than worldly opposition, as Allah is fully aware of intentions and will bring about His justice in His time.