وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ 48
Translations
And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel
Transliteration
Wa yuallimuhul-kitaba wal-hikmata wat-Tawrata wal-Injil
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's gift to Jesus ('Isa) of knowledge encompassing the Scripture (al-Kitab), wisdom (al-Hikma), the Torah, and the Gospel. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah teaching Jesus both divine revelation and practical wisdom, equipping him to guide his people. The mention of Torah and Gospel together emphasizes Jesus's role as a messenger who came to confirm previous scriptures while bringing new revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of Jesus's miraculous birth and divine mission (ayat 42-55). It follows the announcement of Jesus's birth to Maryam and forms part of the Quranic narrative establishing Jesus's prophetic station and unique qualities, addressing both believers and those who disputed his nature.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of mankind are three: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim describing Jesus's return, where he will judge by the law of the Quran, connecting to his role as a teacher and judge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true knowledge combines both sacred revelation and practical wisdom, and that all prophets were divinely equipped with understanding needed for their respective missions. For Muslims, it reinforces respect for Jesus as a messenger while emphasizing that ultimate guidance comes through divine instruction.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining.
فَـَٔاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
So Allāh gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allāh loves the doers of good.
قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.