قُلْ جَآءَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَمَا يُبْدِئُ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ وَمَا يُعِيدُ 49
Translations
Say, "The truth has come, and falsehood can neither begin [anything] nor repeat [it]."
Transliteration
Qul ja'a al-haqqu wa ma yubdi'u al-batilu wa ma yu'id
Tafsir (Explanation)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) is commanded to declare that truth has come and falsehood can neither originate nor restore itself. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as affirming the supremacy and permanence of divine truth over falsehood, which is inherently weak and transient. This ayah emphasizes that falsehood lacks the creative power and sustaining force that belongs exclusively to truth and to Allah, the source of all reality.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saba, a Meccan chapter addressing the polytheists' rejection of monotheism. It comes in a section where the Prophet is encouraged to proclaim the message of Tawhid with confidence, reassuring him that truth will ultimately prevail over the falsehoods promoted by disbelievers. The context reflects the early Meccan period when Islam faced considerable opposition.
Related Hadiths
The concept connects to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet said, 'The best of speech is the speech of Allah,' emphasizing the supremacy of divine truth. Additionally, in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:18), a related verse states that truth shatters falsehood, which reinforces this theme across the Quran.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that adherence to truth is not merely a matter of preference but aligns with the very nature of reality and divine order, providing reassurance that truth will ultimately triumph. In our modern context, it encourages steadfastness in faith despite opposition, knowing that falsehood, however prevalent it may appear, lacks substance and permanence.