يَـٰيَحْيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا 12
Translations
[Allāh said], "O John, take the Scripture [i.e., adhere to it] with determination." And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy
Transliteration
Ya yahya khudhi al-kitaba biquwwah wa ataynahul-hikma sabiyyah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records Allah's command to Yahya (John the Baptist) to grasp the Scripture with strength and determination, emphasizing the importance of firm commitment to divine knowledge. Allah simultaneously granted him wisdom while he was still a child (sabiyyah), an exceptional miracle demonstrating his special status and preparation for his prophetic mission. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as evidence of Allah's grace upon Yahya, distinguishing him through precocious understanding and spiritual maturity despite his young age.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Maryam's narrative about the birth and early life of Yahya (John the Baptist), son of Zakariyyah. The context celebrates the miraculous birth of Yahya to elderly parents and his divine preparation for the role of precursor to Jesus. It is part of the broader Meccan discourse on the lives of righteous prophets and their families.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain numerous hadiths about Yahya's excellence and his role as a precursor to 'Isa (Jesus), emphasizing his piety and knowledge from youth. The Qur'an itself (3:39) describes Yahya as 'confirming a word from Allah' and being 'noble, chaste, and a prophet.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that true understanding of divine knowledge requires both strength of resolve and sincere commitment, and that Allah grants wisdom and spiritual maturity to those He chooses regardless of their age or circumstances. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of approaching religious knowledge with earnestness and dedication rather than treating it as a casual pursuit.