لَّقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ ءَايَـٰتٍ مُّبَيِّنَـٰتٍ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 46
Translations
We have certainly sent down distinct verses. And Allāh guides whom He wills to a straight path.
Transliteration
Laqad anzalna ayatin mubayyinat. Wa-Allahu yahdee man yasha'u ila siratim mustaqeem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has sent down clear and manifest signs (the Qur'an and divine guidance) to humanity, demonstrating His mercy and wisdom. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Allah's guidance is conditional upon human will and receptiveness—He guides whom He wills to the straight path, emphasizing both divine will and human responsibility. The clarity of Allah's signs removes all pretense of ignorance, making the choice to accept or reject guidance a matter of one's own inclination and effort.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nur (The Light), a Medinan surah revealed during the Prophet's time in Madinah. It comes after discussions of legal rulings and moral conduct, serving as a reminder that despite the clarity of divine signs, guidance ultimately depends on Allah's will and the individual's sincere desire to follow the straight path.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027), highlighting the importance of the clear signs (ayat) mentioned in this verse. Additionally, 'Whoever Allah wills good for, He grants them understanding of the religion' (Sahih Bukhari 71) relates to the theme of Allah's guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
For modern believers, this ayah teaches that divine guidance is abundantly available through clear signs, but receiving it requires sincere intention and receptive hearts. Our responsibility is to seek knowledge, reflect deeply, and align ourselves with divine will, trusting that Allah guides those whose hearts are open to truth.