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
إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا۟ بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allāh, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allāh is encompassing of what they do.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تُطِيعُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ كَـٰفِرِينَ
O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers.
قُلْ إِن تُخْفُوا۟ مَا فِى صُدُورِكُمْ أَوْ تُبْدُوهُ يَعْلَمْهُ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say, "Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allāh knows it. And He knows that which is in the heavens and that which is on the earth. And Allāh is over all things competent.
رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ وَٱتَّبَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth]."