عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ 5
Translations
Taught to him by one intense in strength [i.e., Gabriel] -
Transliteration
'Allamahu shadīdul-quwwā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Angel Gabriel (Jibril), described as 'the One of Mighty Power,' who taught the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the Quran and divine knowledge. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this phrase highlights Gabriel's immense strength and authority in the celestial realm, making him the most trustworthy messenger to convey Allah's revelation. The ayah affirms the reliability and power of the angel entrusted with delivering Allah's final message to humanity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Najm, which begins with an oath by the star and describes the Prophet's encounter with the Angel Gabriel during the revelation of the Quran. The surah establishes the authenticity of the Quranic revelation by emphasizing the credibility of Gabriel, who is described as mighty and powerful, capable of transmitting divine knowledge without alteration or error.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Revelation) describes the Prophet's encounters with Gabriel, noting Gabriel's appearance and power. Additionally, the hadith about Gabriel teaching the Prophet the times of prayer (Salat) illustrates this angelic instruction referenced in the ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah assures believers that the Quran was transmitted through a messenger of unparalleled might and trustworthiness, emphasizing the absolute reliability of our sacred text. It also reminds us that true knowledge comes through submission to divine instruction, whether direct or through the guidance of those entrusted by Allah.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْءَانًا عَجَبًا
Say, [O Muḥammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’ān [i.e., recitation].
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ قَالَ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ وَلَمْ يُوحَ إِلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ وَمَن قَالَ سَأُنزِلُ مِثْلَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allāh or says, "It has been inspired to me," while nothing has been inspired to him, and one who says, "I will reveal [something] like what Allāh revealed." And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], "Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allāh other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant."
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ عِوَجَا ۜ
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who has sent down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] the Book and has not made therein any deviance.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.