وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَـٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ 25
Translations
And it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens].
Transliteration
Wa mā huwa biqawli shayṭānin rajīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphatically denies that the Qur'an or the Prophet Muhammad's speech is from a cursed Satan, asserting the divine origin of the revelation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a direct refutation of the Meccan disbelievers' accusations that the Prophet was influenced by demonic forces, establishing that the Qur'an's eloquence, wisdom, and miraculous nature could only come from Allah. Al-Tabari notes that 'rajīm' (cursed/expelled) emphasizes Satan's complete rejection and distance from any role in this noble revelation.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Takwir is entirely Meccan and addresses the disbelievers' rejection and slanders against the Prophet during the early Meccan period. This particular ayah appears in the section (verses 22-29) that discusses the Qur'an's divine authenticity and the trustworthiness of its messenger, directly countering accusations from Quraysh that Muhammad was either mad, a poet, or possessed by jinn.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4:54:461): The Prophet said, 'The Qur'an is the word of Allah, so do not dispute about it.' This affirms the divine nature of the Qur'an mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, Jami' at-Tirmidhi (2962) records that the disbelievers claimed the Qur'an was sorcery or the words of a human, which this ayah directly refutes.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to have unwavering confidence in the Qur'an's divine origin and to reject accusations against Islam based on falsehood and satanic influence. It reminds us that truth will always be distinct from falsehood, and that the Qur'an's guidance is a mercy from Allah, far removed from the corrupting influence of Satan.
Related Ayahs
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
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 -
كَذَٰلِكَ يُوحِىٓ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Thus has He revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and to those before you - Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
۞ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ ۚ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And it will be said to those who feared Allāh, "What did your Lord send down?" They will say, "[That which is] good." For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous -
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the clear Book.