وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتْ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ 210
Translations
And the devils have not brought it [i.e., the revelation] down.
Transliteration
Wa maa tanazzalat bihi ash-shaytanun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Qur'an was not brought down by the devils, refuting the pagan accusations that Muhammad (ﷺ) was influenced by jinn or satanic forces. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse establishes the divine origin of the Qur'an and the purity of its source, as the devils are incapable of delivering such guidance and wisdom. The ayah reassures believers of the authenticity of the revelation against the slanders of disbelievers.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses accusations made by Meccan polytheists against the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The pagan Arabs claimed the Qur'an was poetry or the work of Satan/jinn, and this verse directly refutes such claims by asserting the noble and divine source of the revelation.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (178) wherein 'Aishah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the Qur'an is a mercy and healing, relates to the purity and beneficial nature of the Qur'an as opposed to satanic influence. Additionally, Surah Al-Anbiya (21:26) contains a related theme that angels do not bring down revelation—only Allah does.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should have absolute confidence in the authenticity and divine source of the Qur'an, rejecting any claims that question its origin. This ayah teaches us to recognize truth from falsehood and to trust in Allah's protection of His message against all forms of distortion and slander.