يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍ ۚ قَدْ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَـٰبٌ مُّبِينٌ 15
Translations
O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allāh a light and a clear Book [i.e., the Qur’ān]
Transliteration
Ya ahlal-kitabi qad jaakum rasuluna yubayyinu lakum kathiran mimma kuntum tukhfuna minal-kitabi wa ya'fu an kathir. Qad jaakum min-Allahi nurun wa kitabun mubin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), announcing that Prophet Muhammad has come to clarify many matters from their scriptures that they had concealed or distorted, while overlooking many others out of mercy. The Qur'an itself is described as a 'light' and a 'clear book' from Allah, serving as guidance and clarification of truth. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah highlights the Qur'an's role as a purifier and clarifier of previous scriptures, correcting distortions while showing leniency regarding other disputed matters.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the Medinan period and addresses the Jews and Christians of Medina who possessed scriptures but had altered or hidden certain truths. The broader context of Surah Al-Ma'idah (revealed late in the Medinan period) deals extensively with the People of the Book, their covenants, and the completion of Islam as a comprehensive religion.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim where Prophet Muhammad said: 'I have been sent to perfect good moral character' relates to the mission of clarification mentioned here. Additionally, the hadith in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:3) about the completion of religion echoes the theme of this ayah regarding the comprehensiveness of the Islamic message.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the Qur'an and the message of Islam provide clarity on confused or distorted religious matters, serving as a beacon of light for all humanity. It also exemplifies the principle of mercy in Islamic guidance—focusing on what is essential while being lenient about secondary matters, a lesson applicable to our approach toward others' differences.