تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ 2
Translations
These are verses of the wise Book,
Transliteration
Tilka ayaatul-kitaabil-hakeem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah introduces the letters 'Alif-Lam-Meem' followed by a description of the Quran as 'the Book of Wisdom.' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'those' (tilka) refers to the verses that follow, specifically the guidance and wisdom contained in Surah Luqman. Al-Tabari notes that 'Al-Hikeem' (the Wise) emphasizes that every ruling, law, and narrative in the Quran is filled with divine wisdom and purpose, containing no falsehood or error.
Revelation Context
Surah Luqman is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period. This opening ayah establishes the surah's theme of conveying wisdom and moral guidance. The surah primarily focuses on Luqman's ethical teachings to his son, making this introduction a proclamation that the Quran itself is the ultimate source of divine wisdom.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, the best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'The Quran is the most eloquent speech, containing the profoundest wisdom' - a thematic hadith emphasizing the Quran's status as the Book of Wisdom.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Quran is not merely a collection of stories or rules, but a comprehensive source of divine wisdom applicable to all aspects of life. Modern readers should approach the Quran with reverence, seeking to understand its deeper meanings and implementing its guidance with the awareness that each directive carries profound wisdom for spiritual and worldly success.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَـٰنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And thus We have made you a median [i.e., just] community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allāh has guided. And never would Allāh have caused you to lose your faith [i.e., your previous prayers]. Indeed Allāh is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
۞ مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِّنْهَآ أَوْ مِثْلِهَآ ۗ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allāh is over all things competent?
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَٰنِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّلْعَـٰلِمِينَ
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.
وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا
And made [therein] a burning lamp