وَقُرْءَانًا فَرَقْنَـٰهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَـٰهُ تَنزِيلًا 106
Translations
And [it is] a Qur’ān which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively.
Transliteration
Wa Qur'anan faraqnahu litaqra'ahu 'ala an-nasi 'ala muktin wa nazzalnahu tanzilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that Allah revealed the Qur'an in stages (gradually) so that the Prophet Muhammad could recite it to the people at a measured pace, allowing them to understand, memorize, and reflect upon its teachings. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this gradual revelation (tanzil) was a mercy from Allah, as an immediate revelation of the entire Qur'an would have been overwhelming for both the Prophet and his followers. The word 'mukth' (at leisure/with intervals) indicates the deliberate spacing of revelation over 23 years.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Isra (a Meccan chapter) and addresses one of the central themes of the surah—the miraculous nature of the Qur'an and its revelation. The context responds to the disbelievers' objections about why the Qur'an was not revealed all at once, as Allah explains the wisdom behind gradual revelation for pedagogical and spiritual benefit.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4981): The Prophet said, 'The Qur'an was revealed gradually so that the Prophet could preserve and memorize it.' Additionally, Tirmidhi reports that Jibril would review the Qur'an with the Prophet once yearly, and in his final year, twice—demonstrating the careful, paced transmission of revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
The gradual nature of the Qur'an's revelation teaches us that meaningful learning and spiritual growth require time, patience, and deliberate reflection rather than rushing through sacred knowledge. This principle applies to our modern engagement with the Qur'an—we should prioritize depth of understanding over speed of reading.
Related Ayahs
وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُورًا
And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect, then speak to them a gentle word.
وَكُلَّ إِنسَـٰنٍ أَلْزَمْنَـٰهُ طَـٰٓئِرَهُۥ فِى عُنُقِهِۦ ۖ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ كِتَـٰبًا يَلْقَىٰهُ مَنشُورًا
And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًا
Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing.
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَـٰكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا
Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.