وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ جُمْلَةً وَٰحِدَةً ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ ۖ وَرَتَّلْنَـٰهُ تَرْتِيلًا 32
Translations
And those who disbelieve say, "Why was the Qur’ān not revealed to him all at once?" Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.
Transliteration
Wa qala alladhina kafaru lawla nuzzila alayhi al-Quran jumlatan wahidah. Kadhalika linuthabbita bihi fuadaka wa rattalnahu tartilan.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers objected to the gradual revelation of the Qur'an over 23 years, questioning why it was not revealed all at once. Allah responds that the gradual revelation served the wisdom of strengthening the Prophet's heart and allowing him to understand, memorize, and convey it clearly. As Ibn Kathir explains, this piecemeal revelation was a mercy from Allah, designed to comfort the Prophet during trials and to facilitate the people's comprehension of the divine message through measured, eloquent recitation (tarteel).
Revelation Context
This ayah addresses the Meccan disbelievers' criticism of the Qur'an's mode of revelation. It occurs within Surah Al-Furqan, which comprehensively responds to the objections and misconceptions of the Meccan polytheists regarding the Qur'an, prophecy, and Islamic teachings. The context emphasizes Allah's wisdom in His chosen method of revelation.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 4953: 'Aishah narrated that the Qur'an was revealed in portions, addressing the needs of the people. Also relevant is Sahih Muslim's hadith on tarteel (proper recitation), as the ayah emphasizes 'wa rattalnahu tartilan' (We recited it in a measured, clear manner).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah's wisdom often operates differently from human expectations; what appears as delay or incompleteness may be divine mercy and optimal guidance. For believers today, it emphasizes the importance of studying the Qur'an thoughtfully and reciting it with proper tajweed rather than rushing through it, mirroring the divine method of deliberate, measured transmission.