هَـٰذَا بَصَـٰٓئِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ 20
Translations
This [Qur’ān] is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain [in faith].
Transliteration
Haadhaa basaa'iru lin-naasi wa hudaw wa rahmatun liqawmin yuqinun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Qur'an as clear proofs and signs (basā'ir) for mankind, serving as guidance and mercy specifically for those who possess certainty of faith (yaqīn). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that while the Qur'an is a mercy for all people, its benefits are fully realized only by those whose hearts are firmly grounded in belief and conviction. Al-Qurtubi notes that the Qur'an contains both intellectual proofs and spiritual guidance that illuminate the path to truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Jathiyah, which was revealed in Mecca and addresses the signs of Allah in creation and revelation. The ayah comes after verses discussing those who take their desires as gods and reject the Qur'an. The broader theme emphasizes that the Qur'an is clear evidence (bayyinah) for those willing to recognize it, contrasting believers from disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever listens to one ayah from the Book of Allah and believes in what it contains will enter Paradise' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) relates to the theme of the Qur'an being mercy and guidance for the believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
The Qur'an's transformative power and mercy are not passive gifts but require active engagement through genuine faith and conviction. Modern readers should recognize that intellectual understanding of Islamic texts must be accompanied by heartfelt certainty and commitment to benefit fully from divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
The revelation of the Book is from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُم بَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَمَا ٱخْتَلَفُوٓا۟ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِى بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
And We gave them clear proofs of the matter [of religion]. And they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
أَفَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِۦ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَـٰوَةً فَمَن يَهْدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allāh has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allāh? Then will you not be reminded?
فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَرَبِّ ٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Then, to Allāh belongs [all] praise - Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the worlds.