بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ ۗ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ 44
Translations
[We sent them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.
Transliteration
Bil-bayyinati wa-z-zuburi wa-anzalna ilayka adh-dhikra litubayyana lin-nasi ma nuzzila ilayhim wa-la'allahum yatafakkarun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes that the Messengers were sent with clear proofs (bayyinaat) and scriptures (zubur), and that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad specifically so he could clarify to mankind what was sent down to them. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this establishes the Prophet's role as an explainer (mubayyinn) of divine revelation, making the Qur'an's teachings accessible and comprehensible, with the ultimate purpose being that people reflect upon and understand the divine message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah An-Nahl, which emphasizes God's signs and blessings. The verse is part of a broader discussion about the prophets and God's guidance, affirming that the Prophet Muhammad's mission includes not only receiving revelation but actively explaining it to his community for their contemplation and understanding.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4701): The Prophet said, 'The best amongst you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it.' This reflects the ayah's emphasis on clarifying and teaching revelation. Additionally, Sunan At-Tirmidhi (2906) records that the Prophet said his role includes explaining what Allah has revealed.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Islam is designed to be understood and reflected upon, not merely recited. The Prophet's example teaches us that knowledge of religion should be shared clearly and accessibly, encouraging critical thinking and personal contemplation of divine truths.
Related Ayahs
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And Allāh presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path?
وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ۙ لَا يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ ۚ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And they swear by Allāh their strongest oaths [that] Allāh will not resurrect one who dies. But yes - [it is] a true promise [binding] upon Him, but most of the people do not know.
ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَـٰهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يُفْسِدُونَ
Those who disbelieved and averted [others] from the way of Allāh - We will increase them in punishment over [their] punishment for what corruption they were causing.
وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَآ ءَايَةً مَّكَانَ ءَايَةٍ ۙ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُفْتَرٍۭ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And when We substitute a verse in place of a verse - and Allāh is most knowing of what He sends down - they say, "You, [O Muḥammad], are but an inventor [of lies]." But most of them do not know.