كَذَٰلِكَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ مَا قَدْ سَبَقَ ۚ وَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكَ مِن لَّدُنَّا ذِكْرًا 99
Translations
Thus, [O Muḥammad], We relate to you from the news of what has preceded. And We have certainly given you from Us a message [i.e., the Qur’ān].
Transliteration
Kadhalika naquSSu AAalayka min anbaai ma qad sabaq, wa qad aatayna ka min ladunna dhikra
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah informs the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that He narrates to him the stories of the past nations and their messengers as a means of guidance and confirmation of the Message. The phrase 'We have given you a Reminder from Us' refers to the Quran itself, which is a divine gift containing all necessary guidance for humanity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these narratives serve multiple purposes: to console the Prophet during persecution, to provide evidence of Allah's truth, and to warn the Muslim community of the consequences of rejecting divine messages.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Taha, which is set in the Meccan period during early Islam. It comes after the detailed narrative of Musa (Moses) and Firaun (Pharaoh), serving to contextualize these stories as divine communication to the Prophet. The broader context emphasizes that the Quran contains timeless lessons from previous prophets' experiences, reinforcing the continuity of the divine message throughout history.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'The best narrative is the narrative of the Quran' (from various collections emphasizing the superiority of Quranic stories). Additionally, Surah Yusuf (12:111) relates directly: 'Indeed, in their stories is a lesson for those of understanding,' demonstrating the Quranic emphasis on learning from past narratives.
Themes
Key Lesson
The Quran is not merely a historical record but a living guidance from Allah designed to address the spiritual and moral needs of each generation. Muslims should approach Quranic stories as practical lessons for navigating their own challenges, drawing strength from the experiences of previous prophets and communities.