وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِىٓ أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا 10
Translations
And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course.
Transliteration
Wa-anna laa nadri ash-sharrun urida bi-man fi al-ardi am arada bihim rabbuhum rashada
Tafsir (Explanation)
The jinn acknowledge their limited knowledge, stating they do not know whether the guidance sent through the Prophet Muhammad intends harm or good for the people of the earth. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this reflects the jinn's recognition of Allah's divine wisdom and their admission that only Allah knows the ultimate consequences of His commands. This ayah demonstrates humility before divine decree and the reality that even supernatural beings are constrained by their limited knowledge of Allah's ultimate plans.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Jinn, which describes the jinn's conversion to Islam after hearing the Qur'an recited by the Prophet Muhammad. The context shows the jinn's amazement and wonder at the Qur'an's power, and their acknowledgment of human free will and divine guidance. The broader theme is the universality of Allah's message extending beyond humans to the jinn.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the Qur'an: 'There is no one whom Allah has sent a prophet but among his people from the jinn and from mankind.' This affirms the context of the jinn's hearing and responding to revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us humility in the face of Allah's plans—we should trust in His wisdom even when we cannot comprehend the full consequences of His guidance, recognizing that our knowledge is limited compared to His infinite wisdom. It also emphasizes that Allah's message transcends human society and appeals to all creation, demonstrating the universal nature of Islam.