وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ ۖ فَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 4
Translations
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allāh sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Wa mā arsalnā min rasūlin illā bi-lisāni qawmihi li-yubayyina lahum fa-yuḍillu -llāhu man yashāʾu wa-yahdī man yashāʾu wa-huwa al-ʿazīzu al-ḥakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes that every messenger was sent speaking the language of his own people so that the message would be clear and comprehensible to them. The wisdom of this linguistic adaptation demonstrates Allah's mercy, yet it also shows that ultimate guidance and misguidance rest with Allah's will alone—He guides whom He wills and misguides whom He wills, emphasizing that receiving the message in one's own language removes the excuse of incomprehension, but acceptance depends on Allah's decree and human choice. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note this principle underscores divine justice: the message is presented clearly in accessible language, making rejection a matter of the heart's inclination rather than intellectual inability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ibrahim (a Meccan chapter addressing early objections to the Quran), contextualizing the theme that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad in Arabic as part of the universal Sunnah (established way) of Allah in sending messengers. It responds implicitly to those who might question why the Quran is in Arabic specifically, affirming that this follows the divine pattern for all prophets.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (#523) records that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it,' relating to the clarity and transmission of the message. Additionally, the principle is reflected in reports about the Prophet ﷺ speaking in clear, understandable Arabic to ensure his message reached all listeners.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah has provided clear guidance suited to every people through their own language, removing any excuse of incomprehension—our responsibility is to honestly seek truth and submit, trusting that sincere hearts will be guided by Allah. It also reminds us that clarity of message does not guarantee acceptance; true guidance is a gift from Allah that requires both divine will and human receptiveness of heart.