بَلْ هُوَ قُرْءَانٌ مَّجِيدٌ 21
Translations
But this is an honored Qur’ān
Transliteration
Bal huwa Qur'anun majid
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Qur'an is a glorious and honored book, refuting the disbelievers' claims that it is merely poetry or falsehood. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'majid' (glorious) encompasses the Qur'an's eloquence, wisdom, preservation, and divine origin, establishing its superiority over all human speech and its enduring protection by Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears near the conclusion of Surah Al-Buruj, which addresses the persecution of believers and the certainty of divine justice. The context involves refuting Meccan disbelievers' denials and mockery of the Qur'an's divine nature, reassuring the Prophet and believers of the Qur'an's inviolable status and truthfulness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will have a reward, and that reward will be multiplied by ten' (Tirmidhi 2910), emphasizing the Qur'an's honor and the virtue of engaging with it.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to have unwavering confidence in the Qur'an's divine truth and majesty, regardless of mockery or rejection from others. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that the Qur'an's honor transcends time and culture, and that studying and living by its teachings is an act of connection with the Divine.