رَفِيعُ ٱلدَّرَجَـٰتِ ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ يُلْقِى ٱلرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ لِيُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلتَّلَاقِ 15
Translations
[He is] the Exalted above [all] degrees, Owner of the Throne; He places the inspiration of His command [i.e., revelation] upon whom He wills of His servants to warn of the Day of Meeting.
Transliteration
Rafee'u ad-darajāti dhū al-'arshi yulqī ar-rūḥa min amrihi 'alā man yashā'u min 'ibādihi liyundhira yawma at-talāqi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's majesty and authority: He is the Most High, Possessor of the Throne, who reveals divine inspiration (the Spirit/Revelation) to whom He wills among His servants for the purpose of warning humanity about the Day of Meeting (Resurrection). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'ar-rūḥ' (the Spirit) refers to Jibrīl (Gabriel) or the revelation itself, emphasizing that prophecy and divine guidance are exclusive prerogatives of Allah granted solely according to His divine wisdom and will.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ghafir, which emphasizes Allah's attributes of forgiveness and majesty. It follows discussion of those who believe in Allah's signs and serves to establish that the divine message comes through chosen messengers whom Allah has specifically selected to convey His message and warn humanity.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4705): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'When Allah intends good for someone, He grants them understanding of the religion.' This relates to the concept of Allah choosing whom to grant understanding and revelation. Also relevant: Muslim (177) regarding the ranks and stations of the Prophet ﷺ and the angels.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that prophethood and divine guidance are exclusive grants from Allah based on His infinite wisdom, not human merit or desire. For modern readers, it emphasizes trusting in the authenticity of the Quranic message while recognizing that understanding and spiritual elevation come directly from Allah's grace.
Related Ayahs
مِثْلَ دَأْبِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ ۚ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعِبَادِ
Like the custom of the people of Noah and of ʿAad and Thamūd and those after them. And Allāh wants no injustice for [His] servants.
وَإِذْ يَتَحَآجُّونَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ فَيَقُولُ ٱلضُّعَفَـٰٓؤُا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّغْنُونَ عَنَّا نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ
And [mention] when they will argue within the Fire, and the weak will say to those who had been arrogant, "Indeed, we were [only] your followers, so will you relieve us of a share of the Fire?"
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.
أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَءَاثَارًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were more numerous than themselves and greater in strength and in impression on the land, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.