لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَـٰبًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ ۖ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ 10
Translations
We have certainly sent down to you a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?
Transliteration
Laqad anzalna ilaykum kitaban fihi dhikrukum, afala ta'qilun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah affirms that He has revealed to humanity a Book (the Qur'an) that contains guidance and remembrance for them, emphasizing its comprehensiveness and relevance to human affairs. The concluding rhetorical question "Will you not then use reason?" (afala ta'qilun) challenges the listeners to reflect upon this divine gift and recognize its wisdom, as classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that the Qur'an addresses both spiritual and worldly concerns of mankind.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, a Meccan surah that discusses the stories of various prophets and divine guidance. The immediate context involves Allah's affirmation of His oneness and the authenticity of the Qur'an as a revelation to the Arab people, countering the objections of the Meccan disbelievers who questioned the validity of the Prophet Muhammad's message.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever recites the Qur'an and acts upon it, his parents will be crowned with a crown of light on the Day of Resurrection' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3784).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah calls believers to recognize the Qur'an not merely as a historical text but as a living guide that addresses their personal circumstances and struggles, demanding active intellectual engagement rather than passive reception. It reminds us that possessing divine guidance is meaningless without using our God-given reason to understand and implement its teachings in our lives.