وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا 82
Translations
And We send down of the Qur’ān that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.
Transliteration
Wa nunazzilu mina al-Qur'ani ma huwa shifaa'un wa rahmatun lil-mu'mineen, wa la yazidu az-zalimeen illa khasarah
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Qur'an is a cure (shifaa') and mercy for the believers—healing them spiritually, physically, and morally through its guidance and remembrance of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that while the Qur'an is medicine for the faithful, it increases the disbelievers in loss and wretchedness (khasarah) because they reject its signs and turn away from its guidance, making their hearts harder and their misguidance more severe.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Isra is a Meccan surah addressing the Quraysh during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet (peace be upon him). This ayah contextualizes the Qur'an's fundamental nature as a divine remedy, contrasting the benefits received by believers with the spiritual harm incurred by those who reject it—reinforcing that the Qur'an's effect depends entirely on the listener's receptiveness and faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Indeed, in the Qur'an there is healing for the breasts,' (Sunan Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmad). Also: 'The best cure is the Qur'an' (attributed in Islamic tradition, though the exact chain varies).
Themes
Key Lesson
The Qur'an's transformative power is conditional upon sincere belief and receptiveness—for those who open their hearts to it, it brings profound healing and mercy, while for those who stubbornly reject it, it deepens their spiritual loss. This teaches us that faith is an active choice, and our relationship with the Qur'an determines whether it becomes a source of guidance or a reminder of our own rejection.
Related Ayahs
ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا۟ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًا
Look how they strike for you comparisons; but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way.
مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا
Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًا
But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allāh].
قُل لَّوْ أَنتُمْ تَمْلِكُونَ خَزَآئِنَ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّىٓ إِذًا لَّأَمْسَكْتُمْ خَشْيَةَ ٱلْإِنفَاقِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ قَتُورًا
Say [to them], "If you possessed the depositories of the mercy of my Lord, then you would withhold out of fear of spending." And ever has man been stingy.