وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتُخْبِتَ لَهُۥ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 54
Translations
And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allāh the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.
Transliteration
Wa liya'lama alladhina ootoo al-'ilma annahu al-haqqu min rabbika fa-yu'minoo bihi fatakhbita lahu quloobuhum wa-inna Allaha lahadi alladhina amanoo ila siratin mustaqeem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that those granted knowledge ('ilm) will recognize the Qur'an as truth from Allah and believe in it, their hearts becoming humble and submissive before Him. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to those who possess sound knowledge and wisdom—whether from the People of the Book or otherwise—who, when they encounter the clear signs of the Qur'an, acknowledge its divine origin and submit to it. The ayah concludes with the assurance that Allah guides the believers to the straight path, indicating that true knowledge combined with faith leads to divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hajj's discussion of the signs and miracles that convince people of Islam's truth. It follows verses about the Qur'an's power to soften hearts and precedes discussion of those who turn away from guidance, contrasting the believers' response to the disbelievers'. The broader context addresses how the Qur'an serves as a proof (hujjah) for all people, particularly those with intellect and learning.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurairah: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' relates to the virtue of knowledge ('ilm) mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, the hadith about the Qur'an being a 'proof' (hujjah) from the Sunnah supports the idea that scholars recognize divine truth through study.
Themes
Key Lesson
True knowledge ('ilm) should lead to humility before Allah and heartfelt belief rather than arrogance; believers are assured that sincere faith opens the path to Allah's guidance, making knowledge a means to spiritual elevation when paired with genuine submission to the Divine.