وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 52
Translations
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -
Transliteration
Wa-kadhalika awhayna ilayka ruhan min amrina. Ma kunta tadri maa al-kitabu wa-la al-imanu wa-lakin ja'alnahu nuran nahdī bihi man nashā'u min ibādinā. Wa-innaka la-tahdī ila sirātin mustaqīm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah reveals to the Prophet Muhammad a spiritual revelation (the Qur'an) from His command, emphasizing that the Prophet had no prior knowledge of the Scripture or faith before this divine gift. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as affirming the miraculous nature of the Qur'an and the Prophet's lack of literacy before revelation, establishing that the Message is purely from Allah. The ayah further states that Allah has made this revelation a light by which He guides whomever He wills among His servants, and assures that the Prophet indeed guides to a straight path—demonstrating both divine sovereignty and the Prophet's role as a guide.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter dealing with themes of divine wisdom, consultation, and steadfastness in faith. The context addresses the Prophet's role as a messenger and the nature of revelation, emphasizing that the Qur'an is a divine gift that transformed an unlettered man into a guide for humanity.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4953: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'I am the most honored of Adam's children on the Day of Resurrection, and I am the first to be resurrected.' This relates to the Prophet's elevated status and guidance. Additionally, Sahih Muslim 523 discusses how the Qur'an is light and guidance for the believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches Muslims that knowledge of faith and divine truth comes solely from Allah's revelation, not from human intellect alone, and that the Qur'an remains a perpetual light guiding humanity toward righteousness. Believers should recognize that following the Prophet's guidance is equivalent to following the straight path established by Allah Himself.