Surah Al-Furqan 25:6
سُورَةُ الفُرۡقَانِ · Meccan · Verse 6 of 77
قُلْ أَنزَلَهُ ٱلَّذِى يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا
Translation
Say, ‘It was sent down by Him who knows the secrets of the heavens and earth. He is all forgiving, all merciful.’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens with a direct command from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: "Say" (قُلْ). This single word sets the tone, firmly instructing the Prophet to deliver a decisive answer to those who disbelieved and claimed the Quran was a fabrication. It’s a divine rebuttal, equipping the Messenger with the ultimate truth.
The Source of the Quran
The answer to the disbelievers' claims isn't simply "Allah sent it down." Instead, Allah's identity as the sender is deliberately articulated through a profound description: "the One who knows the secret in the heavens and the earth" (ٱلَّذِى يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَاتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ). Ibn Ashur highlights that this choice of wording, describing Allah through His attribute of knowledge, serves multiple purposes. It makes the Prophet a witness to Allah's omniscience and awakens the deniers to ponder the Quran's profound truths, which only such an all-knowing Being could reveal.
What does "the secret" (ٱلسِّرَّ) encompass? Al-Zamakhshari explains it refers to every hidden secret. Ibn Ashur adds that it defines "the genus" of all secrets, including the disbelievers' own covert plans against the Prophet, even though they knew his message was true. It also encompasses the Prophet's inner truth and innocence from their false accusations. Al-Razi further notes that only a Being with such comprehensive knowledge, encompassing all information, hidden and manifest, past and future, could compose a book of the Quran's eloquence, foresight, and perfect rulings, free from contradiction. By stating that the Quran was revealed by the One who knows *all* secrets, Allah is asserting its divine origin beyond any human capacity.
A Powerful Invitation
The verse concludes with the beautiful divine names: "Indeed, He has always been Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا). Why these specific attributes, especially after such a forceful declaration of truth and veiled warning? Al-Zamakhshari points out that mentioning "Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful" after what could be understood as a threat implies Allah's power to punish. It suggests that despite the disbelievers' obstinacy and rejection, which might warrant immediate punishment, Allah, in His vast mercy, delays it. He provides them with an opportunity to reflect, repent, and return.
Ibn Ashur interprets this as an encouragement (targhīb) for them to abandon their defiance and embrace the path of truth, so that Allah may forgive them and show them mercy. It's an implicit warning: if they persist in their rejection, divine wrath and retribution are their inevitable fate. These closing words are a profound act of compassion, reminding humanity that even in the face of grave denial, Allah's door of forgiveness and mercy remains open to those who turn back to Him.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Furqan 25:6 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Furqan 25:6 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.