قٓ ۚ وَٱلْقُرْءَانِ ٱلْمَجِيدِ 1
Translations
Qāf. By the honored Qur’ān...
Transliteration
Qaf. Wa-al-Qur'ani al-Majid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consists of the isolated letter 'Qaf' (Qaf) followed by an oath sworn by 'the Glorious Qur'an.' According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, the isolated letters at the beginning of surahs are among the miracles of the Qur'an whose exact meaning is known only to Allah (Allahu A'lam). The oath by the Qur'an emphasizes its divine nature and majesty, introducing the surah's themes of resurrection, divine knowledge, and accountability. This opening declaration affirms the Qur'an's authority as a sign of Allah's power and wisdom.
Revelation Context
Surah Qaf is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faced significant opposition. The surah was revealed to strengthen the believers' faith in the resurrection and the Day of Judgment—core concepts denied by the Meccan disbelievers. The opening oath establishes the Qur'an itself as evidence for the truth of these realities.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Whoever reads a letter from the Qur'an, he will be credited with a good deed' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2910), affirming the Qur'an's supreme status.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us of the Qur'an's unparalleled status as Allah's final revelation and the ultimate criterion for truth. Believers should approach the Qur'an with reverence, study it earnestly, and recognize it as the greatest proof of Allah's existence and wisdom.