قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا 2
Translations
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise].
Transliteration
Qayyiman liyundhira ba'san shadidan min ladunhu wa yubashshiral mu'minina alladhina ya'maluna as-salihati anna lahum ajran hasanan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Quran as a straight and upright guidance (qayyiman) that serves two purposes: warning of severe punishment from Allah for those who reject it, and giving glad tidings to believers who perform righteous deeds that they will receive an excellent reward. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Quran's dual role as both warner and bringer of good news addresses all humanity—threatening the disbelievers while encouraging the faithful—thus serving as a complete and balanced divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of Surah Al-Kahf's opening, which establishes the Quran's role and authority immediately after Surah Al-Isra. It was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period when the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced opposition from the Quraysh. The context emphasizes the Quran's purpose as both a warning to disbelievers and an encouragement to believers during a time of persecution.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet said: 'Indeed, this Quran is a rope of Allah—it is a light and a mercy' (Musnad Ahmad), reflecting the Quran's dual role as guidance and mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that revelation from Allah contains both stern warnings against wrongdoing and encouraging promises for the righteous, designed to motivate believers toward good action while deterring them from evil. For modern readers, it emphasizes that Islamic guidance is balanced—neither overly harsh nor permissive—and that our relationship with the Quran should inspire both conscientiousness about accountability and hope in Allah's mercy for sincere believers.
Related Ayahs
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who has sent down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُۥ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ سَبَبًا
Indeed, We established him upon the earth, and We gave him from everything a way [i.e., means].
قُل لَّوْ كَانَ ٱلْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَـٰتِ رَبِّى لَنَفِدَ ٱلْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَـٰتُ رَبِّى وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِۦ مَدَدًا
Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like of it in [continual] supplement."
هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوْمُنَا ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍۭ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا
These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear evidence? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allāh a lie?"