فَإِن كُنتَ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ فَسْـَٔلِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقْرَءُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ لَقَدْ جَآءَكَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُمْتَرِينَ 94
Translations
So if you are in doubt, [O Muḥammad], about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters.
Transliteration
Fa-in kunta fi shakkin mimma anzalna ilayka fas-al alladhina yaqra'un al-kitaba min qablika laqad ja'aka al-haqqu min rabbika fala takounanna mina al-mumtareen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), instructing that if he were ever in doubt about the revelation sent to him, he should consult the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who came before him, as they would recognize the truth of the Qur'an from their own scriptures. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this is not an actual doubt on the Prophet's part, but rather a rhetorical device to strengthen the hearts of believers and demonstrate the consistency of divine revelation across all scriptures. The ayah concludes with a reassurance that the truth has come to him from his Lord, and he should not be among those who waver in faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Yunus and is situated within a broader context addressing the validity of the Qur'anic message against the skepticism of the Meccan polytheists. The reference to consulting the People of the Book reflects the historical reality of Arabia, where Jewish and Christian communities could testify to the authenticity of the Prophet's message as it aligned with their own scriptures.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, the principle is supported by Sahih Muslim's account of the Prophet consulting with Waraqa ibn Nawfal (a Christian scholar) after his initial revelation, demonstrating the validity of seeking knowledge from knowledgeable people of previous faiths. Additionally, hadiths regarding the Prophet's certainty (yaqin) in his mission are thematically related.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to seek knowledge from credible sources and to be confident in the truth that comes from Allah, while also demonstrating that sincere inquiry and consultation with knowledgeable people strengthens rather than weakens one's faith. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of intellectual engagement with one's beliefs and the recognition that truth transcends individual or sectarian boundaries.