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
ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ ٱلضُّرَّ عَنكُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنكُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ
Then when He removes the adversity from you, at once a party of you associates others with their Lord
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.
لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ ۖ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
For those who do not believe in the Hereafter is the description [i.e., an attribute] of evil; and for Allāh is the highest attribute. And He is Exalted in Might, the Wise.
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ ۖ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.