الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ 1
Translations
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the wise Book.
Transliteration
Alif-Lam-Ra. Tilka ayatu al-kitabi al-hakeem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah Yunus with the mysterious letters Alif-Lam-Ra (الٓر), followed by affirmation that these are verses of the wise Book (the Quran). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that the disconnected letters (Muqatta'at) at the beginning of surahs remain mysterious by divine design, though some interpretations suggest they represent divine names or serve as signs of the Quran's inimitability. The phrase 'the wise Book' emphasizes the Quran's comprehensive wisdom and divine guidance.
Revelation Context
Surah Yunus is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of prophethood when the Quraysh were skeptical of the Quranic message. This opening verse immediately establishes the divine nature and authority of the Quranic text, addressing the disbelievers' doubts about its origin and challenging them to recognize its wisdom and miraculous nature.
Related Hadiths
Imam Ahmad and others reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the disconnected letters are among the secrets of Allah, and we should not concern ourselves excessively with their specific meanings, but rather accept them as part of the Quran's miraculous nature.
Themes
Key Lesson
This opening teaches believers to recognize and honor the Quran as a source of divine wisdom, trusting in its message even when certain aspects remain mysterious to human understanding. It invites us to approach the Quranic text with reverence and an open heart rather than skepticism.