فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا 114
Translations
So high [above all] is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muḥammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’ān before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."
Transliteration
Fata'ala allahu al-maliku al-haqqu wa la ta'ajal bi-al-qur'ani min qabli an yuqda ilayaka wahy-uh wa qul rabbi zidni 'ilma
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah exalts Allah as the True King and emphasizes the importance of patience in receiving the Quran, instructing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) not to rush or hurry in memorizing or reciting the revelation before it was completely conveyed to him. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this was revealed during the early Meccan period to console the Prophet during his anxiety to memorize the divine message, and it establishes the principle that genuine knowledge comes from Allah alone, hence the concluding supplication 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.' Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this ayah teaches believers to seek understanding gradually and humbly rather than rushing through sacred knowledge.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the early Meccan period (some scholars suggest it could be from the Madinan period based on context) when the Prophet felt anxiety about preserving and memorizing the Quranic revelations. The broader context of Surah Taha is the conversation between Allah and Moses, establishing patience and trust in divine guidance. The ayah's placement reassures the Prophet that revelation will be completed perfectly and counsels deliberate, measured reception of divine knowledge.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari reports that 'A'ishah said: 'The Messenger of Allah used to move his tongue with the revelation to hasten it, so Allah revealed: Do not move your tongue with it to hasten it. Indeed, upon Us is its collection [in your heart] and its recitation' (75:16-17). This directly relates to the theme of not hastening with the Quran. Additionally, Tirmidhi reports that the Prophet said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it,' emphasizing the value of knowledge mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that genuine learning requires patience, deliberation, and humble reliance on Allah rather than rushed attempts at memorization or understanding. It models the spiritual practice of continuous supplication for increased knowledge ('Rabbi zidni ilman'), encouraging both students and scholars to recognize that all wisdom ultimately derives from Allah's grace.