الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ 1
Translations
Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the clear Book.
Transliteration
Alif-Lam-Ra. Tilka ayatu al-Kitabi al-Mubin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
These are the opening letters (Huruf Muqatta'at) of Surah Yusuf, followed by a declaration that the verses of this Book are clear and evident. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that these disconnected letters were known only to Allah and His Messenger, and serve as both an attention-capturing device and a testimony to the miraculous nature of the Quran—challenging the Arabs to produce similar verses despite their linguistic mastery. The phrase 'al-Kitab al-Mubin' (the Clear Book) emphasizes that despite the mysterious opening letters, the message and guidance of the Quran are manifest and unambiguous.
Revelation Context
This ayah opens Surah Yusuf, a Meccan surah revealed during a period when the Quraysh were intensely opposed to the Prophet Muhammad and his message. The surah was revealed to provide comfort to the Prophet during his trials, as it narrates the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and his perseverance through severe hardships—a thematic parallel to the Prophet's own struggles.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said regarding the Quranic letters: 'The Quran was revealed in seven dialects, so recite from it whatever is easy for you' (Sahih Bukhari 4991). Additionally, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet said the Huruf Muqatta'at are among the secrets of Allah in the Quran (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Themes
Key Lesson
This opening teaches us that the Quran, while containing depths and mysteries (like the Huruf Muqatta'at) known only to Allah, is fundamentally clear in its guidance and message for humanity. Believers should approach the Quran with reverence, acknowledging both its miraculous nature and its accessible wisdom for all.