قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا 2
Translations
[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise].
Transliteration
Qayyiman liyundhira ba'san shadidan min ladunhu wa yubashshiral mu'minina alladhina ya'maluna as-salihati anna lahum ajran hasanan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the Quran as a straight and upright guidance (qayyiman) that serves two purposes: warning of severe punishment from Allah for those who reject it, and giving glad tidings to believers who perform righteous deeds that they will receive an excellent reward. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the Quran's dual role as both warner and bringer of good news addresses all humanity—threatening the disbelievers while encouraging the faithful—thus serving as a complete and balanced divine guidance.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of Surah Al-Kahf's opening, which establishes the Quran's role and authority immediately after Surah Al-Isra. It was revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period when the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced opposition from the Quraysh. The context emphasizes the Quran's purpose as both a warning to disbelievers and an encouragement to believers during a time of persecution.
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, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet said: 'Indeed, this Quran is a rope of Allah—it is a light and a mercy' (Musnad Ahmad), reflecting the Quran's dual role as guidance and mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that revelation from Allah contains both stern warnings against wrongdoing and encouraging promises for the righteous, designed to motivate believers toward good action while deterring them from evil. For modern readers, it emphasizes that Islamic guidance is balanced—neither overly harsh nor permissive—and that our relationship with the Quran should inspire both conscientiousness about accountability and hope in Allah's mercy for sincere believers.
Related Ayahs
وَكَذَٰلِكَ بَعَثْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَتَسَآءَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ ۚ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثْتُمْ فَٱبْعَثُوٓا۟ أَحَدَكُم بِوَرِقِكُمْ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَنظُرْ أَيُّهَآ أَزْكَىٰ طَعَامًا فَلْيَأْتِكُم بِرِزْقٍ مِّنْهُ وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْ وَلَا يُشْعِرَنَّ بِكُمْ أَحَدًا
And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, "How long have you remained [here]?" They said, "We have remained a day or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you.
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.
قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّى فِيهِ رَبِّى خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِى بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا
He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength [i.e., manpower]; I will make between you and them a dam.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا لَبِثُوا۟ ۖ لَهُۥ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ أَبْصِرْ بِهِۦ وَأَسْمِعْ ۚ مَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِى حُكْمِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
Say, "Allāh is most knowing of how long they remained. He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing! They have not besides Him any protector, and He shares not His legislation with anyone."