وَإِنَّهُۥ فِىٓ أُمِّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ 4
Translations
And indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom.
Transliteration
Wa-innahu fee ummi al-kitabi ladayna la-aliyyun hakimun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Quran is preserved in the Preserved Tablet (Umm al-Kitab) with Allah, exalted and wise in its entirety. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that 'Umm al-Kitab' refers to the original, protected source of the Quran in the divine realm, indicating its divine origin and absolute preservation from all corruption or alteration. The attributes 'aliyy' (most high/exalted) and 'hakeem' (wise) emphasize both the Quran's elevated status and the divine wisdom embedded throughout its revelation and legislation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Az-Zukhruf within a section addressing the disbelievers of Mecca who rejected the Quran, claiming it was merely human composition. The broader context defends the Quranic revelation against accusations of falsehood by establishing its divine preservation and exalted status in Allah's knowledge, connecting to the surah's theme of distinguishing divine truth from worldly ornaments.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi where Allah states He has guaranteed to preserve the Quran (referenced in 15:9), and various hadiths in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim regarding the Quran's protection and authority as guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah assures believers that the Quran they recite is the very same, perfectly preserved Word of Allah, free from human tampering or error, providing confidence in following its guidance. It teaches that divine wisdom operates beyond human comprehension, and the Quran's exalted status reflects its role as humanity's ultimate source of truth and moral direction.
Related Ayahs
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ سَيَهْدِينِ
Except for He who created me; and indeed, He will guide me."
فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ سَلَفًا وَمَثَلًا لِّلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.
وَٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ
And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount
وَجَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عِبَـٰدُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ إِنَـٰثًا ۚ أَشَهِدُوا۟ خَلْقَهُمْ ۚ سَتُكْتَبُ شَهَـٰدَتُهُمْ وَيُسْـَٔلُونَ
And they described the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, as females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned.