أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 51
Translations
And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Awalam yakfihim anna anzalna alayka al-kitaba yutla alayhim? Inna fi dhalika larrahmatan wa dhikra liqawmin yu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' rejection despite the clear signs, asking rhetorically whether the revelation of the Qur'an—recited before them with its miraculous eloquence and guidance—should not suffice as proof of the Prophet's truthfulness. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the ayah emphasizes that the Qur'an itself is the greatest miracle and contains mercy and reminder for those who believe; the disbelievers' refusal to accept it is due to their hardened hearts, not any deficiency in the sign.
Revelation Context
This ayah comes in the context of Surah Al-'Ankabut, a Meccan surah addressing the early Muslim community facing persecution and mockery from the Quraysh. The broader context involves responding to the disbelievers' demands for miracles, with the revelation emphasizing that the Qur'an itself—its inimitability (i'jaz), wisdom, and spiritual guidance—is the sufficient proof of prophecy, requiring no additional supernatural signs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest miracle given to the prophets was the Qur'an' (related to themes in At-Tirmidhi and other collections). Also relevant is the hadith about the Qur'an being 'a healing and mercy for the believers' (Qur'an 17:82), affirming this ayah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
The Qur'an is not merely a book of information but a source of healing, mercy, and spiritual guidance for those whose hearts are open to faith. Modern believers should recognize that the greatest miracle lies within the Qur'an's own wisdom and coherence, and that rejecting truth often stems from inner resistance rather than lack of evidence.