تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ 1
Translations
The revelation of the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] is from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Tanzīlu al-Kitābi mina-Allāhi al-'Azīzi al-Hakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah declares that the Qur'an is a revelation (tanzīl) sent down from Allah, emphasizing His attributes of might (Al-'Azīz) and wisdom (Al-Hakīm). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this introduction establishes the divine origin and authority of the Qur'an, affirming that every word comes from the Mighty and Wise God, whose power ensures its preservation and whose wisdom ensures its perfect guidance for humanity.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zumar is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad. This opening serves to remind the Meccan believers of the Qur'an's divine authenticity amid rejection and mockery from disbelievers, grounding their faith in the certainty that this is revelation from the All-Powerful, All-Wise God.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Verily this Qur'an is the word of Allah' affirms its divine origin (as referenced in various hadith collections emphasizing the Qur'an's authority).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Qur'an is not merely human speech but a divine message from the Almighty and All-Wise God, deserving complete respect, deep study, and faithful implementation in daily life. For modern readers, it strengthens conviction that guidance for all life's challenges comes from a source of infinite power and perfect wisdom.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion.
إِن تَكْفُرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَلَا يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ ۖ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا۟ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَلَقَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allāh, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allāh has guided, and those are people of understanding.