مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ 21
Translations
Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy.
Transliteration
Muttaa'in thamma ameen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase describes the angel Gabriel (Jibril) as one who is obeyed and trustworthy, emphasizing his high status and reliability as Allah's messenger. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these attributes highlight Gabriel's position among the angels and his faithfulness in conveying divine revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The ayah underscores that Gabriel is a being of great authority and integrity in the heavenly realm.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah At-Takwir, which describes the Day of Judgment and the role of angels. The context is specifically about the angel who brought revelation to Prophet Muhammad, establishing Gabriel's credibility as a messenger of divine truth during a time when the Quraysh questioned the Prophet's claims.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (Vol. 1, Hadith 4): Waraqah ibn Nawfal recognized Gabriel and confirmed his identity to the Prophet. Sunan Ibn Majah: The Prophet described Gabriel as having great authority and beauty among the angels.
Themes
Key Lesson
We should recognize that trustworthiness and obedience to divine guidance go hand in hand, and those who convey God's message must embody both reliability and strength. For believers, this teaches us to seek knowledge from trustworthy sources and to cultivate these same qualities—integrity and steadfastness—in our own conduct.