وَإِذَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مُسْلِمِينَ 53
Translations
And when it is recited to them, they say, "We have believed in it; indeed, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed we were, [even] before it, Muslims [i.e., submitting to Allāh]."
Transliteration
Wa-idha yutla alayhi qalu amanna bihi innahu al-haqqu min rabbina inna kunna min qablihi muslimin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the response of the people of the Scripture (Ahl al-Kitab) when the Qur'an is recited to them—they recognize its truth and affirm their belief, acknowledging it comes from their Lord. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to righteous believers among the Jews and Christians who, upon hearing the Qur'an, recognize its alignment with what they already knew from their revealed books and embrace it. Their statement "We were Muslims before it" (min qablihi) means they were already submissive to Allah's will and monotheism before the Qur'an's revelation, thus their acceptance represents consistency with their original faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period within Surah Al-Qasas, which emphasizes Allah's power through stories of His messengers. The context addresses those from the People of the Book who would later encounter the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and recognize the truth of his message. It illustrates the positive reception of the Qur'an by sincere believers from previous faith communities.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3.34.353) mentions the conversion of 'Abdullah ibn Salam and other Jewish scholars who recognized the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an's truth. Additionally, Surah Al-Qasas 28:52-53 is contextually linked to hadiths about believers from Ahl al-Kitab who accepted Islam after recognizing the Qur'an's authenticity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sincere seekers of truth, regardless of their background, will recognize and accept Allah's guidance when presented with clarity and evidence. It reminds us that true faith transcends cultural boundaries and that submission to Allah's will is the common thread uniting all righteous believers throughout history.
Related Ayahs
وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسْتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Indeed, [O Muḥammad], He who imposed upon you the Qur’ān will take you back to a place of return. Say, "My Lord is most knowing of who brings guidance and who is in clear error."
تِلْكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
وَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ تِلْقَآءَ مَدْيَنَ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبِّىٓ أَن يَهْدِيَنِى سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way."