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
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَـٰلًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ أَكْنَـٰنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ ٱلْحَرَّ وَسَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ
And Allāh has made for you, from that which He has created, shadows [i.e., shade] and has made for you from the mountains, shelters and has made for you garments which protect you from the heat and garments [i.e., coats of mail] which protect you from your [enemy in] battle. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might submit [to Him].
وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَـٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
And if Allāh had willed, He could have made you [of] one religion, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.
جَنَّـٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
Gardens of perpetual residence, which they will enter, beneath which rivers flow. They will have therein whatever they wish. Thus does Allāh reward the righteous -
فَٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
So enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and how wretched is the residence of the arrogant.