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
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
O you who have believed, fear Allāh as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْحَىُّ ٱلْقَيُّومُ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining.
وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَوْ يُضِلُّونَكُمْ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
A faction of the People of the Scripture wish they could mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they perceive [it] not.