تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ 2
Translations
The revelation of the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] is from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing,
Transliteration
Tanzīl al-kitāb min al-Allāh al-ʿazīz al-ʿalīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah Ghafir by affirming that the Qur'an is a revelation (tanzīl) sent down from Allah, who possesses two supreme attributes: al-ʿAzīz (the Mighty/Invincible) and al-ʿAlīm (the All-Knowing). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that these attributes establish the authority and reliability of the divine message—Allah's power ensures it will be preserved and His knowledge ensures its perfect wisdom and guidance. The opening sets the tone for the surah's themes of divine forgiveness and the consequences of rejecting revelation.
Revelation Context
Surah Ghafir is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This opening ayah serves as an immediate affirmation of the Qur'an's divine origin in response to the disbelievers' rejection and accusations that it was merely human composition. It establishes the foundation for the surah's subsequent discussions of belief, disbelief, and divine mercy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Verily, this Qur'an is the rope of Allah' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3786) relates to the Qur'an's role as divine guidance from the All-Knowing and Mighty.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Qur'an is not a human creation but a divine revelation backed by Allah's infinite power and perfect knowledge, providing unwavering confidence in its guidance. For contemporary readers, it calls for complete trust in the Qur'an's message and recognition that skepticism toward it ultimately represents skepticism toward Allah's might and wisdom.