رَفِيعُ ٱلدَّرَجَـٰتِ ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ يُلْقِى ٱلرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ لِيُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلتَّلَاقِ 15
Translations
[He is] the Exalted above [all] degrees, Owner of the Throne; He places the inspiration of His command [i.e., revelation] upon whom He wills of His servants to warn of the Day of Meeting.
Transliteration
Rafee'u ad-darajāti dhū al-'arshi yulqī ar-rūḥa min amrihi 'alā man yashā'u min 'ibādihi liyundhira yawma at-talāqi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's majesty and authority: He is the Most High, Possessor of the Throne, who reveals divine inspiration (the Spirit/Revelation) to whom He wills among His servants for the purpose of warning humanity about the Day of Meeting (Resurrection). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'ar-rūḥ' (the Spirit) refers to Jibrīl (Gabriel) or the revelation itself, emphasizing that prophecy and divine guidance are exclusive prerogatives of Allah granted solely according to His divine wisdom and will.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ghafir, which emphasizes Allah's attributes of forgiveness and majesty. It follows discussion of those who believe in Allah's signs and serves to establish that the divine message comes through chosen messengers whom Allah has specifically selected to convey His message and warn humanity.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4705): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'When Allah intends good for someone, He grants them understanding of the religion.' This relates to the concept of Allah choosing whom to grant understanding and revelation. Also relevant: Muslim (177) regarding the ranks and stations of the Prophet ﷺ and the angels.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that prophethood and divine guidance are exclusive grants from Allah based on His infinite wisdom, not human merit or desire. For modern readers, it emphasizes trusting in the authenticity of the Quranic message while recognizing that understanding and spiritual elevation come directly from Allah's grace.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَامَنَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱتَّبِعُونِ أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ ٱلرَّشَادِ
And he who believed said, "O my people, follow me; I will guide you to the way of right conduct.
فِى ٱلْحَمِيمِ ثُمَّ فِى ٱلنَّارِ يُسْجَرُونَ
In boiling water; then in the Fire they will be filled [with flame].
ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَـٰنٍ أَتَىٰهُمْ ۖ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَعِندَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ
Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allāh without an authority having come to them - great is hatred [of them] in the sight of Allāh and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does Allāh seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant.
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا۟ بَأْسَنَا قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِۦ مُشْرِكِينَ
And when they saw Our punishment, they said, "We believe in Allāh alone and disbelieve in that which we used to associate with Him."