إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَفِى ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ 18
Translations
Indeed, this is in the former scriptures,
Transliteration
Inna hatha lafee as-suhufil-ula
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the message of the Quran regarding Prophet Muhammad and the oneness of Allah is recorded in the previous scriptures (the Torah and Gospel). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as a confirmation that the prophetic mission and core teachings were foretold in earlier revelations, serving as evidence of the Quran's authenticity. This statement emphasizes continuity between divine revelations and provides reassurance to believers that the message is rooted in God's eternal truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-A'la is a Meccan surah emphasizing divine majesty and the importance of remembrance of Allah. This specific ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah in a passage reflecting on the preservation and universality of God's message across all scriptures, reinforcing the theme that Allah's guidance has been consistent throughout human history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, in Surah Al-A'raf 7:157, there is mention of the Prophet being written in the Torah and Gospel, which relates thematically to this ayah's affirmation of prophetic continuity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the Islamic faith is not a novel or isolated revelation but stands upon the foundation of all previous divine messages, encouraging confidence in the authenticity of Islam and promoting respect for the earlier People of the Book who received similar guidance.