أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًا كَثِيرًا 82
Translations
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān? If it had been from [any] other than Allāh, they would have found within it much contradiction.
Transliteration
Afala yataddabbarun al-Qur'ana wa law kana min indi ghayri Allah lawajadu fihi ikhtilafan kathira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah challenges the listener to reflect deeply upon the Qur'an and presents its internal consistency as proof of its divine origin. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that the absence of contradictions despite the Qur'an addressing diverse topics, audiences, and circumstances over 23 years of revelation demonstrates its supernatural origin, as any human composition would inevitably contain discrepancies and inconsistencies.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Madinah during a period of intense dialogue with the People of the Book and polytheists who questioned the Qur'an's authenticity. This ayah serves as a rational argument within Surah An-Nisa's broader themes of guidance, refutation of false claims, and the establishment of Islamic jurisprudence and social order.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever reflects upon the Qur'an seeking guidance, Allah will guide his heart' (attributed to various sources emphasizing the importance of tadabbur - deep reflection).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are invited to engage the Qur'an not passively but with active intellectual reflection, and the coherence found within its verses despite addressing complex matters over decades serves as a timeless proof of its divine source—encouraging modern Muslims to study the Qur'an deeply and find in it answers to their spiritual and intellectual questions.
Related Ayahs
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allāh standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا
For those it is expected that Allāh will pardon them, and Allāh is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
وَإِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَقْصُرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَن يَفْتِنَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ كَانُوا۟ لَكُمْ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا
And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ يَشْتَرُونَ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةَ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن تَضِلُّوا۟ ٱلسَّبِيلَ
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, purchasing error [in exchange for it] and wishing you would lose the way?