وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ 48
Translations
And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel
Transliteration
Wa yuallimuhul-kitaba wal-hikmata wat-Tawrata wal-Injil
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's gift to Jesus ('Isa) of knowledge encompassing the Scripture (al-Kitab), wisdom (al-Hikma), the Torah, and the Gospel. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah teaching Jesus both divine revelation and practical wisdom, equipping him to guide his people. The mention of Torah and Gospel together emphasizes Jesus's role as a messenger who came to confirm previous scriptures while bringing new revelation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of Jesus's miraculous birth and divine mission (ayat 42-55). It follows the announcement of Jesus's birth to Maryam and forms part of the Quranic narrative establishing Jesus's prophetic station and unique qualities, addressing both believers and those who disputed his nature.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of mankind are three: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus' (Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim describing Jesus's return, where he will judge by the law of the Quran, connecting to his role as a teacher and judge.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true knowledge combines both sacred revelation and practical wisdom, and that all prophets were divinely equipped with understanding needed for their respective missions. For Muslims, it reinforces respect for Jesus as a messenger while emphasizing that ultimate guidance comes through divine instruction.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَجْهَ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱكْفُرُوٓا۟ ءَاخِرَهُۥ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
And a faction of the People of the Scripture say [to each other], "Believe in that which was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day and reject it at its end that perhaps they will return [i.e., abandon their religion],
وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَـٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And Allāh had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them [i.e., the enemy] by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet (ﷺ)] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
۞ لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allāh much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allāh - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of resolve.
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allāh as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,