Surah Ghafir — Verse 25

Key Words and Phrases:

• "Al-Haqq" (الْحَقِّ): The truth, the undeniable reality and clear proof—here referring to the miracles and signs that Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) brought from Allah.
• "Istahyu" (اسْتَحْيُوا): To keep alive, to spare—meaning here to spare the women and not kill them, but to humiliate them by enslaving them and using them for service.
• "Kayd" (كَيْدُ): A scheme, plot, or cunning plan—referring to the malicious strategy of the disbelievers.
• "Dalal" (ضَلَال): Loss, ruin, and going astray—meaning that their plot is doomed to fail and will only lead to their own destruction.

The Tafsir (Explanation):

When Musa (peace be upon him) came to Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun with the clear signs and undeniable miracles from Allah—signs that proved his truthfulness and the reality of his message—they did not merely reject the truth or argue against it. Instead, their arrogance and malice drove them to a far more sinister response. They said: "Kill the sons of those who have believed with him, and spare their women." This was a cruel and desperate attempt to crush the growing community of believers by wiping out their future generations—killing the boys to prevent the faith from spreading and growing stronger, while sparing the women to humiliate the believers and force them into servitude and degradation.

This was not a new tactic. It was a repetition of the earlier crime they had committed when Musa was born, when Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of every newborn male Israelite out of fear that a deliverer would arise from among them. Now, when the truth was presented to them directly, they reverted to the same barbaric strategy, thinking that by reducing the numbers of the believers, they could extinguish the light of faith.

But Allah declares their scheme utterly futile: "And the plot of the disbelievers is nothing but in loss." Their cunning plans, their cruel orders, and their desperate measures are all destined for ruin and failure. No matter how powerful or tyrannical they may seem, their schemes are built on falsehood, and falsehood cannot stand before the truth. Their plot does not harm the believers in the least; rather, it recoils upon themselves, bringing about their own destruction and humiliation.

A Call to Reflection and Faith:

Dear reader, reflect on this profound truth: the enemies of truth may devise the most elaborate plans, muster all their resources, and employ every means of oppression—yet their efforts are nothing but vanity and loss. Meanwhile, the believers, even in their weakness and small numbers, are supported by the Almighty, the All-Powerful, who never abandons His righteous servants.

This verse is a source of immense comfort and strength for every believer facing hardship or persecution. It teaches us that no matter how overwhelming the forces of falsehood may appear, their end is nothing but ruin. And no matter how difficult the path of faith may be, its end is victory and honor—in this life and the Hereafter.

So hold firm to the truth, trust in Allah, and never despair. For the promise of Allah is true, and His help is near. The schemes of the disbelievers are but a mirage that vanishes, while the word of Allah remains supreme and exalted.