Surah Al-Mu'minun — Verse 89

Word Meanings:

• فَأَنَّى (fa-annā): How, or in what way.
• تُسْحَرُونَ (tus'harūn): You are bewitched, deluded, or have your minds clouded—as if magic has been cast upon your intellects, causing you to see falsehood as truth and truth as falsehood.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah instructs His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to pose a profound question to the polytheists of Makkah. The preceding verses had already asked them: "Who owns the earth and everything in it?" and "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?"—to which they would inevitably answer, "Allah." Now, the question reaches its climax: "Who holds dominion over all things and grants protection, while none can protect against Him?" Their tongues, compelled by undeniable truth, would answer: "Allah."

At that point, Allah commands the Prophet to respond: "Then how are you bewitched?" This is a rhetorical rebuke—a stunning indictment of their intellectual inconsistency. They openly admit that Allah is the sole Owner, Lord, and Protector of all existence, yet they turn away from His worship, associate partners with Him, and deny His promise of resurrection and judgment. How can hearts that acknowledge such truth be so easily deceived into falsehood? How can their minds be so clouded that they see the clear path of monotheism and still wander into the darkness of idolatry?

The verse uses the metaphor of "sorcery" to highlight the absurdity of their condition. Just as a bewitched person sees things that are not real, these people—despite affirming Allah's absolute sovereignty—behave as if He has rivals, as if His messengers are liars, and as if the Day of Reckoning will never come. Their intellects have been overtaken by a spiritual blindness, a self-imposed delusion that contradicts their own testimony.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, pause and reflect on the power of this argument. The polytheists of Makkah, with all their stubbornness, could not deny that Allah alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Their own nature testified to this truth. And so it is with every human being—deep within, we all know that there is one God, the Lord of all worlds. The question is: will we let our desires, distractions, and worldly attachments "bewitch" us away from this innate truth?

This verse is a beautiful reminder that faith is not a blind leap into the unknown—it is a rational submission to what our own hearts and minds already recognize. When you look at the sky, the mountains, the oceans, and the intricate design of your own body, you know there is a Creator. When you face hardship and cry out in desperation, you instinctively call upon Him alone. So why let anything cloud that clarity? Why let sin, arrogance, or the whispers of Shaytan cast a spell over your intellect?

The path to Allah is not complicated. It begins with a simple, honest admission: "Allah is my Lord, and I have no god but Him." From that admission flows every good deed, every moment of peace, and every hope for eternal success. Do not be among those who know the truth yet turn away from it. Let your heart be clear, your mind be sharp, and your soul be devoted to the One who owns everything—for He is the only Protector, and to Him is the return.