الٓمٓ 1
Translations
Alif, Lām, Meem.
Transliteration
Alif Lam Meem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consists of three Arabic letters (Huruf Muqatta'ah) whose exact meaning is known only to Allah. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that these letters appear at the beginning of 29 surahs in the Quran and serve multiple purposes: they draw attention to the miraculous nature of the Quran, challenge the Arabs to produce something similar despite understanding the language, and mark the beginning of a new revelation. Some scholars suggest these letters may represent abbreviations or divine signs whose full significance remains hidden (Ilm al-Ghayb).
Revelation Context
This ayah opens Surah As-Sajdah, a Meccan surah that follows after Surah Luqman. The surah emphasizes the creation of the heavens and earth in six days and the signs of Allah's power in creation. The opening with Huruf Muqatta'ah establishes an immediate connection to the miraculous nature of the Quranic text before discussing the creation narrative.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhu) reported regarding the Huruf Muqatta'ah: 'These are names of Allah Most High.' (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). Additionally, there is a hadith that emphasizes the Quran's miraculous nature despite being composed of familiar Arabic letters and words, which relates to the challenge these letters represent.
Themes
Key Lesson
While we may not fully understand all aspects of divine revelation, the Huruf Muqatta'ah remind us that the Quran's power and miracle transcend human comprehension, encouraging believers to approach the Quran with reverence and recognize that Allah's wisdom encompasses what we know and what remains hidden from us.