إِنَّا سَنُلْقِى عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا 5
Translations
Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.
Transliteration
Inna sanulqi alayka qawlan thaqeela
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is addressing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), informing him that He will place upon him a weighty word or message—referring to the Quran and the responsibility of prophethood. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as Allah's promise to reveal the Quran gradually, which would be a heavy burden in terms of memorization, understanding, and conveying its message to humanity. The 'weighty word' encompasses both the intellectual depth and the spiritual weight of divine revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah comes early in Surah Al-Muzzammil, which was revealed in the early Meccan period when the Prophet was receiving initial revelations. The surah addresses the night prayer and preparation for the challenging task ahead. This specific ayah serves as preparation for the Prophet, assuring him of divine support while acknowledging the tremendous responsibility of bearing the Quran.
Related Hadiths
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet said: 'The one who recites the Quran and is proficient in it is with the noble recording angels (kiraman katibin)' (Sahih Bukhari). This relates to the weight and honor of engaging with the Quranic word. Additionally, the Prophet described the Quran as a 'rope of Allah' (habl-Allah), emphasizing its substantial guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that true guidance from Allah carries weight and responsibility—it is not merely intellectual entertainment but a serious covenant. For believers today, it encourages us to approach the Quran with the seriousness and reverence it deserves, recognizing that its wisdom and application require sincere effort and commitment.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ ۚ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And it will be said to those who feared Allāh, "What did your Lord send down?" They will say, "[That which is] good." For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous -
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -
نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ
The Trustworthy Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] has brought it down