Surah As-Sajdah 32:3
سُورَةُ السَّجۡدَةِ · Meccan · Verse 3 of 30
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۚ بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
Translation
Yet they say, ‘Muhammad has made it up.’ No indeed! It is the Truth from your Lord for you [Prophet], to warn a people who have had no one to warn them before, so that they may be guided.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse addresses the persistent claims of those who denied the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the Quran he brought. It stands as a firm declaration of truth and a clarification of the Prophet's mission.
The Assertive Rejection
Allah opens the verse with a powerful rhetorical question, "أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ" (Am yaquluna iftarahu) or "Or do they say, 'He fabricated it?'" The Arabic particle "أم" (Am), as scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain, acts as a transition, meaning "rather" or "but," and implies an astonished question. It's as if Allah is saying, "Can you believe they are still saying this outrageous thing?" The use of the present tense verb "يقولون" (yaquluna), "they say," as Ibn Ashur notes, isn't just a historical statement; it vividly brings their ongoing, stubborn denial to life, emphasizing their continuous rejection despite all evidence. Their accusation, "افتراه" (iftarahu), means he fabricated it, directly targeting the Prophet and implying he invented the Quran.
Allah immediately dismisses this falsehood with an emphatic "بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ" (Bal huwa al-haqqu), meaning "Rather, it is the Truth." The word "بل" (Bal) serves as a strong invalidation, utterly rejecting their claim. The definite article "ال" (al-) on "الحق" (al-haqqu), as Ibn Ashur points out, is not just *a* truth, but *the* absolute, undeniable Truth, distinguishing it from all forms of falsehood. This Quran is the very essence of truth, perfectly known and free from doubt. It is further affirmed as "مِن رَّبِّكَ" (min Rabbika), "from your Lord." Ibn Ashur highlights the significance of "Rabbika" (Your Lord), addressing the Prophet directly. This choice of wording powerfully counters the accusation that the Prophet fabricated it, affirming that the source is none other than his Lord, his Sustainer and Protector, thereby validating both the Message and the Messenger.
The Special Mission
The purpose of this Divine Truth is then revealed: "لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّا أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ" (litunthira qawman ma atahum min nadhirin min qablika), "so that you may warn a people to whom no warner came before you." The "لام" (lam), or "L" sound, at the beginning of "لتنذر" (litunthira) signifies purpose or reason. The Quran was sent, and the Prophet sent, to warn a specific "قوما" (qawman), a group of people. Ibn Ashur elaborates that this refers to the Arabs of that time, particularly in Mecca and its surroundings, who had not received a prophet in a very long time. The phrase "ما أتاهم من نذير" (ma atahum min nadhir) strongly emphasizes the *absolute absence* of any previous direct warner for them, underscoring their profound need for this new message and the urgency of the Prophet's mission. While the Quran's message is universal, this particular wording highlights a primary, compelling reason for its revelation at that juncture.
The Hope of Guidance
The verse concludes with "لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ" (la'allahum yahtadun), "that perhaps they may be guided." The word "لعل" (la'alla) here, as both al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur explain, conveys hope and a desired outcome. It reflects the Prophet's fervent hope for their guidance and signifies Allah's divine intention and wisdom behind sending this message – to open their hearts to the truth and lead them to the right path.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah As-Sajdah 32:3 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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