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.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ
For you therein [i.e., the animals marked for sacrifice] are benefits for a specified term; then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allāh upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy [who does not seek aid] and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ
And how many a city did We destroy while it was committing wrong - so it is [now] fallen into ruin - and [how many] an abandoned well and [how many] a lofty palace.