إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ 40
Translations
[That] indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is the word of a noble Messenger.
Transliteration
Innahu laqawlu rasoolin kareem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Quran is the speech of a noble messenger (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), emphasizing its divine origin and the dignity of the one who conveyed it. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a decisive statement refuting claims that the Quran was fabricated or merely human composition, establishing that it comes through the most honored of all messengers. The emphasis on 'kareem' (noble/generous) highlights both the character of the Prophet and the preciousness of the revelation itself.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Al-Haqqah, which is titled 'The Reality' and emphasizes the certainty of the Day of Judgment and the truth of the Quranic revelation. The surah addresses Meccan disbelievers who denied the Quran's divine origin, and this ayah serves as a definitive statement of the Quran's authenticity and the nobility of its messenger in the face of such denials.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said in Sahih Muslim: 'I have been sent with the shortest words containing the most comprehensive meanings.' This hadith reflects the nobility and eloquence of the Quranic message. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari records that the Quran is 'the best of speech' (ahsan al-hadith), affirming its divine excellence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to have unwavering confidence in the Quran as the authentic word of Allah conveyed through the most righteous of messengers, providing reassurance against doubts sown by skeptics. For modern readers, it emphasizes that faith in the Quran is inseparable from recognizing the integrity and nobility of the Prophet who delivered it.