وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَـٰهُم بِكِتَـٰبٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 52
Translations
And We had certainly brought them a Book which We detailed by knowledge - as guidance and mercy to a people who believe.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ji'nahum bi-kitabin fassalnahu 'ala 'ilmin hudan wa-rahmatun li-qawmin yu'minun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has sent down the Qur'an to the people with detailed explanation based on divine knowledge, serving as guidance and mercy for those who believe. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'fassalnahu' (We have detailed it) demonstrates the comprehensiveness and clarity of the Qur'anic message, addressing all aspects of human need, while Al-Tabari notes that this guidance and mercy are exclusively beneficial for the believers—those who accept and follow it with sincere faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period within Surah Al-A'raf, in a passage addressing the rejection of the Qur'an by disbelievers. It comes after verses discussing how the disbelievers rejected previous messengers, contrasting their rejection with the fact that Allah has clearly sent the Qur'an as an unmistakable source of guidance. The context underscores the divine responsibility in conveying the message clearly while accountability rests on the recipients.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 light on the Day of Resurrection' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3781), emphasizing the mercy and guidance inherent in following the Qur'an.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that the Qur'an is a complete, detailed guide sent by Allah with perfect knowledge to benefit humanity, but its guidance only becomes a mercy for those who genuinely believe and implement its teachings. For modern readers, this emphasizes the importance of approaching the Qur'an with sincere faith and commitment to understanding and practicing its message, rather than merely possessing it intellectually.