وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۙ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 64
Translations
And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muḥammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Wa mā anzalnā ʿalayka al-kitāba illā li-tubayyina lahumu al-ladhī ikhtalifū fīhi wa hudān wa raḥmatan li-qawmin yu'minūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that the primary purpose of revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is to clarify and explain the matters about which people had differed and disputed, particularly regarding matters of faith, law, and morality. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that the Quran serves as a decisive criterion (furqān) between truth and falsehood, while simultaneously functioning as guidance and mercy specifically for those who believe. The revelation addresses the confusion and contradictions that existed in previous scriptures and human reasoning.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Nahl is a Meccan surah revealed during the early-to-middle Meccan period. This ayah appears in a section discussing the purpose and nature of divine revelation. It emphasizes the Quran's role in resolving theological and legal disputes among the Arabs and people of the Book, reflecting the context of Mecca where various religious traditions coexisted and conflicted.
Related Hadiths
Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet said, 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth' (Sahih Bukhari 1/25). Also relevant: 'Indeed, I have been given the Quran and something like it along with it' (Sunan Abu Dawud 4604), indicating the Quran's comprehensive role in clarification.
Themes
Key Lesson
The Quran is not merely a spiritual text but a practical guide meant to resolve human disagreements and provide clear direction on matters of faith and conduct. For believers today, this ayah reminds us to approach the Quran as a comprehensive solution to life's confusions and uncertainties, and to recognize that true benefit from the Quran comes through sincere faith and acceptance.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], "We were not doing any evil." But, yes! Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what you used to do.
قَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّقْفُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Those before them had already plotted, but Allāh came at [i.e., uprooted] their building from the foundations, so the roof fell upon them from above them, and the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ
And Allāh has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allāh they disbelieve?