ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَٱلذِّكْرِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ 58
Translations
This is what We recite to you, [O Muḥammad], of [Our] verses and the precise [and wise] message [i.e., the Qur’ān].
Transliteration
Dhālika natlūhu 'alayka mina al-āyāti wa-adh-dhikri al-ḥakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the narrative of Maryam (Mary) and 'Īsā (Jesus), affirming that Allah is reciting to the Prophet Muhammad these signs and the wise reminder (the Qur'an itself). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement emphasizes the divine origin and wisdom of the Quranic account, distinguishing it from corrupted narratives found in other scriptures. Al-Qurtubi highlights that 'adh-dhikr al-ḥakīm' (the wise remembrance) refers to the Qur'an as a comprehensive guidance containing profound wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the conclusion of the detailed account of Maryam's purity and the miraculous birth of 'Īsā (Jesus) in Surah Āl 'Imrān. The broader context addresses Christian-Muslim theological disputes during the Medinan period, particularly regarding the nature of Jesus and monotheism. The ayah serves as a divine authentication of the preceding narrative against distortions in other scriptures.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4472): The Prophet Muhammad said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it,' relating to how this ayah positions the Qur'an as wise remembrance worth reciting and teaching. Also relevant: Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2910) on the superiority of those who reflect upon Quranic signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Qur'an is a divinely-guided, comprehensive wisdom sent to correct misunderstandings and provide guidance for all humanity. Modern readers should approach Quranic narratives with reverence, understanding them as authoritative divine communication meant to guide both belief and practice.
Related Ayahs
وَلِيُمَحِّصَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَيَمْحَقَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And that Allāh may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers.
۞ قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allāh will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allāh. And Allāh is Seeing [i.e., aware] of [His] servants -
وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
And obey Allāh and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.
قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ ءَايَةٌ فِى فِئَتَيْنِ ٱلْتَقَتَا ۖ فِئَةٌ تُقَـٰتِلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْىَ ٱلْعَيْنِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ
Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met [in combat at Badr] - one fighting in the cause of Allāh and another of disbelievers. They saw them [to be] twice their [own] number by [their] eyesight. But Allāh supports with His victory whom He wills. Indeed in that is a lesson for those of vision.