Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey ) 17 : 81

Explanatory Note

“And say, ‘The truth has now come about while falsehood has withered away. For falsehood is always bound to wither away.” (Verse 81)

With irrefutable authority derived from God Himself it is proclaimed that truth has come to be established with its overpowering might, while falsehood is totally defeated. For it is in the nature of truth to triumph and establish itself with vigour, while it is in the nature of falsehood to wither away and be vanquished.

“For falsehood is always bound to wither away.” (Verse 81) This is a basic truth that is stated here with emphasis. It may appear sometimes that falsehood is equipped with power and influence, but this is all hollow. Falsehood will always try to assume an air of strength, because it has no real strength at its command. It knows that it has to visually deceive, giving the appearance of large size and physical power. But in reality, it is fragile, easy to destroy. It is no more than the flames of dried straw that float into the air only to subside in no time at all. By contrast, live coal burns slowly and steadily to give sustained warmth and long lasting heat. Falsehood is like the scum that floats at the surface. It soon disappears while the real water stays.

Indeed falsehood ends in utter loss because it does not carry within itself the elements necessary for survival. It derives its life, which, by nature, is of short duration, from external elements and unnatural support. Should such elements and support weaken or become loose, it will collapse. Truth, by contrast, derives its power of survival from within itself. It may have to face determined opposition, particularly by those in ruling positions, but its inherent strength and reassurance guarantee its eventual triumph. How could it be otherwise when truth comes from the Eternal One who has made truth an attribute of His own?

“For falsehood is always bound to wither away.” (Verse 81) Falsehood may have all the might of Satan and those tyrannical forces which command power behind it, but God’s promise will definitely come true and His power is far superior. Every believer who is firm of faith is certain to experience the truth of this promise. “Who is more true to his promise than God?” (9: 111) “Whose word could be truer than God’s?” (4: 87)