لَّا يَأْتِيهِ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ ۖ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ 42
Translations
Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Lā yātīhi al-bāṭilu min bayna yadayhi wa lā min khalfihi, tanzīlun min ḥakīmin ḥamīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that falsehood cannot approach the Qur'an from any direction—neither from before it (in terms of previous scriptures or knowledge) nor from behind it (through future objections or corruption). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as affirming the Qur'an's absolute protection from error, contradiction, and distortion, emphasizing that it is a revelation from the All-Wise (Al-Hakīm) and the All-Praised (Al-Hamīd), whose wisdom and perfect attributes guarantee its integrity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Fussilat (Meccan), which emphasizes the Qur'an's miraculous nature and refutes objections raised by Meccan disbelievers who denied its divine origin. The context immediately follows a discussion of the Qur'an's guidance and protection, serving as a response to those who challenged its authenticity and consistency.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, this Qur'an is the Rope of Allah and the Clear Light and the Healing Mercy' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Uthman ibn Affan reported that the Prophet stated the best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it (Sahih Bukhari 5027).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah strengthens believers' conviction that the Qur'an is divinely preserved and absolutely reliable as guidance for all times and circumstances. Modern readers should find reassurance that their faith rests upon a text whose integrity has been guaranteed by Allah Himself, and should commit to understanding and implementing its teachings with confidence.
Related Ayahs
فَقَضَىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَاتٍ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِى كُلِّ سَمَآءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَحِفْظًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired [i.e., made known] in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars, for beauty] and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.
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.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ فَٱخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۗ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِىَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
And We had already given Moses the Scripture, but it came under disagreement. And if not for a word [i.e., decree] that preceded from your Lord, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed they are, concerning it [i.e., the Qur’ān], in disquieting doubt.
فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ
As for ʿAad, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, "Who is greater than us in strength?" Did they not consider that Allāh who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs.