لَّا يَأْتِيهِ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ ۖ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ 42
Translations
Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Lā yātīhi al-bāṭilu min bayna yadayhi wa lā min khalfihi, tanzīlun min ḥakīmin ḥamīd
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that falsehood cannot approach the Qur'an from any direction—neither from before it (in terms of previous scriptures or knowledge) nor from behind it (through future objections or corruption). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as affirming the Qur'an's absolute protection from error, contradiction, and distortion, emphasizing that it is a revelation from the All-Wise (Al-Hakīm) and the All-Praised (Al-Hamīd), whose wisdom and perfect attributes guarantee its integrity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Fussilat (Meccan), which emphasizes the Qur'an's miraculous nature and refutes objections raised by Meccan disbelievers who denied its divine origin. The context immediately follows a discussion of the Qur'an's guidance and protection, serving as a response to those who challenged its authenticity and consistency.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, this Qur'an is the Rope of Allah and the Clear Light and the Healing Mercy' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Uthman ibn Affan reported that the Prophet stated the best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it (Sahih Bukhari 5027).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah strengthens believers' conviction that the Qur'an is divinely preserved and absolutely reliable as guidance for all times and circumstances. Modern readers should find reassurance that their faith rests upon a text whose integrity has been guaranteed by Allah Himself, and should commit to understanding and implementing its teachings with confidence.
Related Ayahs
حمٓ
Ḥā, Meem.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا مَا جَآءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلَّيْلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ ۚ لَا تَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allāh, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship.
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allāh and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."