ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ 8
Translations
Then he approached and descended
Transliteration
Thumma dana fatalalla
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) vision during the Night of Ascension (Isra and Mi'raj), where Gabriel drew near and then descended closer to him. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to Gabriel approaching the Prophet in his most beautiful form, demonstrating the intimacy of divine communication and the honor bestowed upon the Prophet. The phrase emphasizes the miraculous nature of the encounter and Gabriel's obedience in drawing near to convey divine revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Najm, which describes the Prophet's miraculous night journey and vision of Gabriel. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the middle Meccan period and serves as a powerful testimony to the supernatural experiences granted to the Prophet, strengthening believers' faith during a time of persecution.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4856) - The hadith of Aisha describing the Prophet's encounter with Gabriel during the revelation of the Quran, demonstrating Gabriel's proximity and the intensity of revelation. Also relevant is Muslim (172) where the Prophet describes seeing Gabriel in his true form on two occasions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the extraordinary connection between the Divine and His messenger, demonstrating that spiritual closeness to the Almighty is a reality that transcends human limitations. It inspires awe in the majesty of revelation and encourages trust in the Prophet's truthfulness regarding the unseen realm.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ
The sight [of the Prophet (ﷺ)] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ
So have you considered al-Lāt and al-ʿUzzā?
هَـٰذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓ
This [Prophet (ﷺ)] is a warner from [i.e., like] the former warners.