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
لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good -
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَكَهُۥ يَنَـٰبِيعَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ حُطَـٰمًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Do you not see that Allāh sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs [and rivers] in the earth; then He produces thereby crops of varying colors; then they dry and you see them turned yellow; then He makes them [scattered] debris. Indeed in that is a reminder for those of understanding.
أَفَمَن يَتَّقِى بِوَجْهِهِۦ سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ
Then is he who will shield with his face the worst of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection [like one secure from it]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers, "Taste what you used to earn."
خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ ثَلَـٰثٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ
He created you from one soul. Then He made from it its mate, and He produced for you from the grazing livestock eight mates. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, within three darknesses. That is Allāh, your Lord; to Him belongs dominion. There is no deity except Him, so how are you averted?