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
وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who remember.
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
وَلَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًا ۚ أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ
And to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is [due] worship constantly. Then is it other than Allāh that you fear?
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
So do not assert similarities to Allāh. Indeed, Allāh knows and you do not know.