ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ وَٱلذِّكْرِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ 58
Translations
This is what We recite to you, [O Muḥammad], of [Our] verses and the precise [and wise] message [i.e., the Qur’ān].
Transliteration
Dhālika natlūhu 'alayka mina al-āyāti wa-adh-dhikri al-ḥakīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the narrative of Maryam (Mary) and 'Īsā (Jesus), affirming that Allah is reciting to the Prophet Muhammad these signs and the wise reminder (the Qur'an itself). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this statement emphasizes the divine origin and wisdom of the Quranic account, distinguishing it from corrupted narratives found in other scriptures. Al-Qurtubi highlights that 'adh-dhikr al-ḥakīm' (the wise remembrance) refers to the Qur'an as a comprehensive guidance containing profound wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the conclusion of the detailed account of Maryam's purity and the miraculous birth of 'Īsā (Jesus) in Surah Āl 'Imrān. The broader context addresses Christian-Muslim theological disputes during the Medinan period, particularly regarding the nature of Jesus and monotheism. The ayah serves as a divine authentication of the preceding narrative against distortions in other scriptures.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4472): The Prophet Muhammad said, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it,' relating to how this ayah positions the Qur'an as wise remembrance worth reciting and teaching. Also relevant: Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2910) on the superiority of those who reflect upon Quranic signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Qur'an is a divinely-guided, comprehensive wisdom sent to correct misunderstandings and provide guidance for all humanity. Modern readers should approach Quranic narratives with reverence, understanding them as authoritative divine communication meant to guide both belief and practice.
Related Ayahs
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍ ۖ وَغَرَّهُمْ فِى دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ
That is because they say, "Never will the Fire touch us except for [a few] numbered days," and [because] they were deluded in their religion by what they were inventing.
وَلَا يَحْزُنكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ لَن يَضُرُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَلَّا يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظًّا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And do not be grieved, [O Muḥammad], by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allāh at all. Allāh intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment.
إِذْ هَمَّت طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنكُمْ أَن تَفْشَلَا وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّهُمَا ۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
When two parties among you were about to lose courage, but Allāh was their ally; and upon Allāh the believers should rely.