تَنزِيلٌ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 2
Translations
[This is] a revelation from the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful -
Transliteration
Tanzilun min ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Quran is a revelation (tanzil) sent down from Allah, who is characterized by both mercy (ar-Rahman) and compassion (ar-Rahim). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement emphasizes the divine origin of the Quran and establishes Allah's merciful nature as the foundation of this revelation, assuring believers that what follows is a message of guidance rooted in divine compassion rather than harshness.
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat opens with this declaration of the Quran's divine origin in Mecca, where the polytheists disputed the Quranic message. This ayah serves as a definitive statement to establish the Quran's authenticity and divine source at the very beginning of the surah, setting the tone for the detailed explanations (fussilat) that follow throughout the chapter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The most merciful of people is the one who is merciful to others,' which reflects the theme of Allah's mercy (Rahman and Rahim) emphasized in this ayah. (Related to themes in At-Tirmidhi and other collections). Additionally, 'Verily, my mercy encompasses all things' (Quran 7:156) directly complements this ayah's emphasis on divine mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that the Quran is not a human composition but a divine gift sent with mercy and compassion for humanity's guidance. This understanding should inspire confidence in the Quran's message and cultivate gratitude toward Allah for His merciful revelation.
Related Ayahs
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَـٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ هَـٰذَا لِى وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّجِعْتُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ لِى عِندَهُۥ لَلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ
And if We let him taste mercy from Us after an adversity which has touched him, he will surely say, "This is [due] to me, and I do not think the Hour will occur; and [even] if I should be returned to my Lord, indeed, for me there will be with Him the best." But We will surely inform those who disbelieved about what they did, and We will surely make them taste a massive punishment.
كِتَـٰبٌ فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’ān for a people who know,
سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فِى ٱلْـَٔافَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?
مَّا يُقَالُ لَكَ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ قِيلَ لِلرُّسُلِ مِن قَبْلِكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ وَذُو عِقَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Nothing is said to you, [O Muḥammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord is a possessor of forgiveness and a possessor of painful penalty.