قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُۥ نَزَّلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 97
Translations
Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down upon your heart, [O Muḥammad], by permission of Allāh, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."
Transliteration
Qul man kana AAaduwwan lijibriila fainnahu nazzalahu AAala qalbika biidhn illahi musaddiqan lima bayna yadayhi wa hudan wa bushra lilmuminineen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah responds to the Jews who harbored enmity toward Jibreel (Gabriel), the angel through whom Allah revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. The verse affirms that Jibreel, by Allah's permission, revealed the Quran upon the Prophet's heart as a confirmation of previous scriptures, guidance, and glad tidings for the believers. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this ayah defends the divine origin of the Quranic revelation and the trustworthiness of Jibreel as Allah's messenger angel.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in response to Jewish objections to the Quranic revelation, particularly their claim that Jibreel was an enemy rather than a divine messenger. It occurs within the broader Medinan context where the Prophet engaged with the Jewish tribes of Medina regarding the authenticity of Islamic revelation and its continuity with previous prophetic traditions.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari reports that when the Prophet received revelation, Jibreel would come to him, and the intensity of revelation was compared to the ringing of a bell. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, there is the hadith of Jibreel's visit where he questioned the Prophet about Islam, Iman, and Ihsan, demonstrating his role as a conveyor of divine knowledge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to have confidence in the divine origin of the Quran and to recognize that hostility toward Islam often stems from misunderstanding or rejection of its heavenly sources. It reminds us that the Quran serves as confirmation, guidance, and mercy for those who believe and open their hearts to its message.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous -
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَوْلَا يُكَلِّمُنَا ٱللَّهُ أَوْ تَأْتِينَآ ءَايَةٌ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّثْلَ قَوْلِهِمْ ۘ تَشَـٰبَهَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
Those who do not know say, "Why does Allāh not speak to us or there come to us a sign?" Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain [in faith].
وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allāh invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses [i.e., ordinances] to the people that perhaps they may remember.
وَمِنْهُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّآ أَمَانِىَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَظُنُّونَ
And among them are unlettered ones who do not know the Scripture except [indulgement in] wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.