تَنزِيلٌ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 2
Translations
[This is] a revelation from the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful -
Transliteration
Tanzilun min ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Quran is a revelation (tanzil) sent down from Allah, who is characterized by both mercy (ar-Rahman) and compassion (ar-Rahim). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement emphasizes the divine origin of the Quran and establishes Allah's merciful nature as the foundation of this revelation, assuring believers that what follows is a message of guidance rooted in divine compassion rather than harshness.
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat opens with this declaration of the Quran's divine origin in Mecca, where the polytheists disputed the Quranic message. This ayah serves as a definitive statement to establish the Quran's authenticity and divine source at the very beginning of the surah, setting the tone for the detailed explanations (fussilat) that follow throughout the chapter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The most merciful of people is the one who is merciful to others,' which reflects the theme of Allah's mercy (Rahman and Rahim) emphasized in this ayah. (Related to themes in At-Tirmidhi and other collections). Additionally, 'Verily, my mercy encompasses all things' (Quran 7:156) directly complements this ayah's emphasis on divine mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that the Quran is not a human composition but a divine gift sent with mercy and compassion for humanity's guidance. This understanding should inspire confidence in the Quran's message and cultivate gratitude toward Allah for His merciful revelation.
Related Ayahs
بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
As a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear.
وَنَجَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ
And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allāh.
وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ
But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].
وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمْ فَٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْعَمَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَـٰعِقَةُ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
And as for Thamūd, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them for what they used to earn.