تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 5
Translations
[This is] a revelation of the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
Transliteration
Tanzīlu al-'Azīzi ar-Rahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Qur'an is a revelation (tanzīl) from Allah, Who is described as Al-'Azīz (the Mighty/Invincible) and Ar-Rahīm (the Merciful). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, these two divine attributes emphasize that the Qur'an comes from One who has absolute power and wisdom, yet tempers His might with mercy, making the revelation both authoritative and compassionate. The ayah establishes the Qur'an's divine origin and the perfect balance of justice and compassion in its guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening section of Surah Ya-Sin, a Meccan surah that begins with the mysterious letters 'Ya-Sin.' The context of revelation relates to the broader Meccan period when the Qur'an was being revealed incrementally to establish belief in Allah's oneness and the authenticity of the Prophet's message. The emphasis on divine attributes here counters the disbelief of Meccan polytheists by highlighting Allah's supreme power and mercy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most superior Surah of the Qur'an is Ya-Sin' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Surah Ya-Sin is known as 'the heart of the Qur'an' (qalb al-Qur'an) due to its spiritual significance in Muslim tradition.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should approach the Qur'an with the understanding that it originates from a Lord whose infinite power is perfectly balanced with infinite mercy, making it a trustworthy guide in all matters of life. This encourages both reverence for Allah's authority and confidence in His compassionate guidance.