مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ 2
Translations
You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
Transliteration
Mā anta bi-ni'mati rabbika bi-majnūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is Allah's affirmation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that by the grace of his Lord, he is not mad or possessed, directly refuting the Meccan polytheists' accusations that he was insane or under demonic influence. Ibn Kathir explains that this is a divine reassurance emphasizing that the Prophet's sound intellect and reason are themselves blessings from Allah that enable him to receive and convey the message accurately. Al-Tabari notes that the phrase 'by the blessing of your Lord' connects the Prophet's mental soundness to divine favor, establishing that his prophetic mission is a manifestation of Allah's grace.
Revelation Context
This ayah comes at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh mockingly accused the Prophet Muhammad of being possessed by jinn or being mad (majnūn). The surah opens with the oath 'By the pen,' establishing the legitimacy of revelation through writing and intellect, before directly addressing these slanderous accusations against the Prophet's mental state.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4476): The Prophet said, 'The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.' This relates thematically to the ayah's emphasis on the Prophet's sound judgment and moral integrity. Additionally, various hadiths recount how the Prophet responded with patience to accusations of madness, exemplifying the grace (ni'mah) mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that possessing sound reason and mental clarity is itself a divine blessing, and it reminds believers that accusations against those conveying truth are often reflections of the accusers' own spiritual blindness rather than any deficiency in the messenger. It encourages patience in the face of mockery and slander, trusting in Allah's protection and affirmation.