هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ 2
Translations
It is He who has sent among the unlettered [Arabs] a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the sunnah] - although they were before in clear error -
Transliteration
Huwa alladhee ba'atha fee al-ummiyyeena rasoolan minhum yatlou 'alayhim ayatih wa yuzakkihim wa yu'allimuhum al-kitaaba wa al-hikmata wa in kanoo min qablu lafee dalalin mubeenin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the Messenger sent to the unlettered Arabs to recite Allah's verses, purify their souls, and teach them the Qur'an and wisdom. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the term 'al-ummiyyeen' (the unlettered) refers to the Arabs who had no prior scripture and were in manifest error before his mission. The ayah emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Prophet's role: recitation (tilawah), spiritual purification (tazkiyah), and education (ta'leem)—a threefold mission foundational to Islamic theology.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Madinah to address the Jewish tribes and hypocrites who rejected the Prophet's message despite clear evidences. The ayah comes at the beginning of the surah to establish the Prophet's divine commission and authority, reminding the community of the transformative impact of his mission on a people previously steeped in jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Also relevant: 'I have been sent as a teacher' (Sunan Ibn Majah 229), highlighting the educational aspect of his prophethood.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the purpose of revelation is not merely intellectual knowledge but comprehensive spiritual development—the purification of hearts alongside the education of minds. For contemporary Muslims, it underscores the importance of seeking teachers who embody both knowledge and moral character.