أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰٓ 4
Translations
Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?
Transliteration
Aw yadhdhakkaru fatanfa'uhu aldhikra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the seeker of knowledge who may be reminded and benefit from the reminder (the Quran and Islamic teaching). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this in the context of Surah 'Abasa, which addresses the Prophet's interaction with Ibn Umm Maktum, emphasizing that the purpose of revelation is to guide those who earnestly seek knowledge and are receptive to remembrance, regardless of their social status. The ayah highlights the conditional nature of benefit from divine guidance—it depends upon the listener's willingness to be reminded and their sincere intention to benefit.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah 'Abasa, revealed in Mecca, which addresses the Prophet Muhammad's momentary inattention to the blind companion Ibn Umm Maktum when he was preoccupied with teaching prominent Quraysh leaders. The broader context emphasizes that spiritual benefit comes to those who genuinely seek remembrance, not necessarily those of high social status.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari 4670 records that the Prophet said to Ibn Umm Maktum, 'Welcome to the one on whose account my Lord has rebuked me,' demonstrating the high value placed on sincere seekers of knowledge. Additionally, the principle in Surah Al-A'raf 7:176 regarding those who benefit from signs is thematically related.
Themes
Key Lesson
True benefit from Islamic knowledge depends not on external circumstances or social standing, but on one's sincere intention and willingness to be reminded and guided. This teaches us to cultivate receptiveness to divine guidance and to recognize that Allah values the genuinely humble seeker above the superficially prominent.