۞ أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 19
Translations
Then is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? They will only be reminded who are people of understanding -
Transliteration
Afaman ya'lamu anna ma unzila ilayka min rabbika al-haqqu kaman huwa a'maa. Innama yatadakkaru ulul-albab.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question contrasting those who recognize the Quran as truth revealed by Allah with those who are spiritually blind and heedless. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as emphasizing that only those with intellect and understanding (ulul-albab) can truly comprehend and benefit from the divine revelation, while those without spiritual insight remain in darkness despite the clarity of the message.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Ar-Ra'd, which addresses the reality of the Quran and divine guidance in the context of the opposition faced by the Prophet Muhammad. It comes within a passage discussing those who accept divine truth versus those who reject it, reflecting the ongoing challenge of preaching to diverse audiences in Medina.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Also relevant is the hadith: 'Whoever Allah wills good for, He grants understanding of the religion' (Sahih Bukhari 71), connecting knowledge and understanding to divine favor.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that possessing true knowledge and understanding of Islamic truth is a divine blessing and responsibility—mere exposure to the Quran is insufficient without genuine comprehension and reflection. It encourages Muslims to cultivate intellectual engagement with their faith and to recognize that sincere seeking of understanding from the Quran is a form of worship.