يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 269
Translations
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.
Transliteration
Yu'til-hikmatam man yasha'. Wa man yu'til-hikmata faqad utiya khayran kathiran. Wa ma yadhdhakkaru illa ulul-albab.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah grants wisdom to whom He wills, and this wisdom is described as an abundant good that encompasses knowledge, understanding, and righteous application of faith. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that true wisdom (hikmah) includes both knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah and the ability to act upon it correctly. The ayah concludes that only those of intellect and understanding (ulu al-albab) truly benefit from and reflect upon this divine gift.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's discussion of guidance and the characteristics of the God-conscious believers (Muttaqun). It follows verses about spending wealth and fasting, emphasizing that wisdom is a greater gift than material wealth. The thematic focus is on the superiority of spiritual and intellectual blessings over material ones.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever Allah wishes good for, He grants them understanding of the religion' (Sahih Bukhari 71), which directly relates to the concept of wisdom mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Wisdom is a precious gift from Allah that surpasses material blessings; believers should earnestly seek understanding of their faith and apply knowledge with discernment. Additionally, not everyone benefits equally from guidance—true benefit comes to those who exercise their intellect and reflect sincerely on divine truth.