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Surah Ali ’Imran, Verse 7

سورة آل عمران، الآية ٧

3:7 Juz 3 Hizb 5 Page 50 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 3:7

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٌ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ ۝٧

Transliteration

huwa alladhī anzala ʿalayka l-kitāba min'hu āyātun muḥ'kamātun hunna ummu l-kitābi wa-ukharu mutashābihātun fa-ammā alladhīna fī qulūbihim zayghun fayattabiʿūna mā tashābaha min'hu ib'tighāa l-fit'nati wa-ib'tighāa tawīlihi wamā yaʿlamu tawīlahu illā l-lahu wal-rāsikhūna fī l-ʿil'mi yaqūlūna āmannā bihi kullun min ʿindi rabbinā wamā yadhakkaru illā ulū l-albābi

Translation

It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific.116 As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding,

Notes

[116] Those which are stated in such a way that they are open to more than one interpretation or whose meaning is known only to Allāh, such as the opening letters of certain sūrahs.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 7 of Surah Ali ’Imran (3:7), a Medinan surah, is in juz 3, on page 50 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 71 reciters.

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Tafsir of verse 7

Al-Mukhtasar

O Prophet, He is the One Who revealed to you the Qur’ān, which contains verses with clear and unambiguous meaning, and these represent the majority of the Book and are the reference point when there is disagreement. It also contains other verses that may have more than one meaning and are puzzling for most people. Those who seek other than the truth leave the clear verses and focus on the unclear ones, trying to create doubts and mislead people, and interpret them to suit their corrupt views. No one knows the true meaning of such verses besides Allah. Those who are firm in knowledge say, ‘We have faith in the entire Qur’ān because it is all from Allah’. They interpret the unclear verses according to the clear ones. Only those who have sound minds pay attention to this.

Tafsir of the whole Surah Ali ’Imran

Other translations of verse 7

It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are definite verses, which are the foundation of the Book; while others are ambiguous. Those with deviant hearts follow the ambiguous verses, seeking discord and seeking their [false] interpretation. But no one knows their [true] interpretation except Allah. And those who are well-grounded in knowledge say, “We believe in it. It is all from our Lord4.” None will take heed except people of understanding.

Notes

[4] People of true knowledge are lauded here with the worthy epithet “al-rāsikhūna fī al-‘ilm”(the well-grounded in knowledge); they know enough and are so humble as to say: “Allah knows best”, unlike others.

It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkâm (commandments), Al-Fara’id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allâh. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabarî).

He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.

He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding.

He is The (One) Who has sent down upon you the Book, whereof are clear signs (i.e. Éayah = verses) that are the Essence (Literally: the Mother) of the Book, and others cosimilar (Or: ambiguous). So, as for (the ones) in whose hearts is swerving, they ever follow whatever (parts) of it are cosimilar, (inequitably) seeking temptation (to sedition), and (inequitably) seeking its interpretation; and in no way does anyone know its interpretation except Allah. And the ones firmly established in knowledge say, "We have believed in it; all is from the Providence of our Lord." And in no way does anyone constantly remember except the ones endowed with intellects.

Verse 7 word by word

  1. هُوَ huwa He
  2. ٱلَّذِىٓ alladhī (is) the One Who
  3. أَنزَلَ anzala revealed ن ز ل
  4. عَلَيْكَ ʿalayka to you
  5. ٱلْكِتَٰبَ l-kitāba the Book ك ت ب
  6. مِنْهُ min'hu of it
  7. ءَايَٰتٌ āyātun (are) Verses أ ي ي
  8. مُّحْكَمَٰتٌ muḥ'kamātun absolutely clear ح ك م
  9. هُنَّ hunna they (are)
  10. أُمُّ ummu the foundation أ م م
  11. ٱلْكِتَٰبِ l-kitābi (of) the Book ك ت ب
  12. وَأُخَرُ wa-ukharu and others أ خ ر
  13. مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٌ mutashābihātun (are) allegorical ش ب ه
  14. فَأَمَّا fa-ammā Then as for
  15. ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna those
  16. فِى fī in
  17. قُلُوبِهِمْ qulūbihim their hearts ق ل ب
  18. زَيْغٌ zayghun (is) perversity ز ي غ
  19. فَيَتَّبِعُونَ fayattabiʿūna [so] they follow ت ب ع
  20. مَا mā what
  21. تَشَٰبَهَ tashābaha (is) allegorical ش ب ه
  22. مِنْهُ min'hu of it
  23. ٱبْتِغَآءَ ib'tighāa seeking ب غ ي
  24. ٱلْفِتْنَةِ l-fit'nati [the] discord ف ت ن
  25. وَٱبْتِغَآءَ wa-ib'tighāa and seeking ب غ ي
  26. تَأْوِيلِهِۦ tawīlihi its interpretation أ و ل
  27. وَمَا wamā And not
  28. يَعْلَمُ yaʿlamu knows ع ل م
  29. تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ tawīlahu its interpretation أ و ل
  30. إِلَّا illā except
  31. ٱللَّهُ l-lahu Allah
  32. وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ wal-rāsikhūna And those firm ر س خ
  33. فِى fī in
  34. ٱلْعِلْمِ l-ʿil'mi [the] knowledge ع ل م
  35. يَقُولُونَ yaqūlūna they say ق و ل
  36. ءَامَنَّا āmannā We believe أ م ن
  37. بِهِۦ bihi in it
  38. كُلٌّ kullun All ك ل ل
  39. مِّنْ min (is)
  40. عِندِ ʿindi from ع ن د
  41. رَبِّنَا rabbinā our Lord ر ب ب
  42. وَمَا wamā And not
  43. يَذَّكَّرُ yadhakkaru will take heed ذ ك ر
  44. إِلَّآ illā except
  45. أُو۟لُوا۟ ulū men
  46. ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ l-albābi (of) understanding ل ب ب

Hadiths that cite this verse

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 4547

If you see those who follow the ambiguous verses, they are those whom Allah has named; so, beware of them

The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse: {It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are definite verses, which are the foundation of the Book, while others are ambiguous. Those with deviant hearts follow the ambiguous verses, seeking discord and seeking…

فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ، فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ سَمَّى اللَّهُ، فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 8 other versions Explained

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 2665

"He it is Who revealed to thee (Muhammad) the Book (the Qur'an) wherein there are clear revelations-these are the substance of the Book and others are allegorical (verses). And as for those who have a yearning for error they go after the allegorical verses seeking (to cause) dissension, by seeking…

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ سَمَّى اللَّهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 8 other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Abu Dawud 4598

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited this verse: “He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental . . . .” Up to “men of understanding”. She said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then said: When you see those people who follow that which is allegorical in the Quran…

قَرَأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هَذِهِ الآيَةَ ‏‏{‏ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ ‏}‏ إِلَى ‏{‏ أُولُو الأَلْبَابِ ‏}‏ قَالَتْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 8 other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Ibn Majah 47

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited the following Verse: 'It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'an). In it are verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; and others not entirely clear (up to His saying: ) 'And none receive admonition except men…

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِيهِ فَهُمُ الَّذِينَ عَنَاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 8 other versions

Authentic Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2993

"I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about Allah's saying: So, as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation, they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah and seeking its Ta'wil (3:7). He said: 'When you see them, be aware of them.'" Yazid (one of the narrators in the…

"‏ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتِيهِمْ فَاعْرِفِيهِمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ يَزِيدُ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُمْ فَاعْرِفُوهُمْ ‏.‏ قَالَهَا مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2994

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about this Ayah: 'It is He who sent down to you the Book. In it are Ayat that are entirely clear... (3:7)' until the end of the Ayah. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When you see those who seek what is not entirely clear thereof, then it is they whom Allah…

"‏ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ سَمَّاهُمُ اللَّهُ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 8 other versions

Other hadiths (7)

Verses related to verse 7

Cited by Ibn Kathir in his explanation of this verse

  • Al-An’am 6:151

    قُلْ تَعَالَوْا۟ أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا۟ بِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَٰقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

    Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allāh has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason."

  • Al-Isra 17:23

    وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا

    And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

  • Az-Zumar 39:23

    ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

    Allāh has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance [i.e., mention] of Allāh. That is the guidance of Allāh by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no guide.

  • Az-Zukhruf 43:59

    إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا عَبْدٌ أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ مَثَلًا لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

    He [i.e., Jesus] was not but a servant upon whom We bestowed favor, and We made him an example for the Children of Israel.

  • Ali ’Imran 3:59

    إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

    Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allāh is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.

  • Ali ’Imran 3:106

    يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

    On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve [i.e., reject faith] after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject."

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • Al-Baqarah 2:269

    يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

    He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.

All similar verses of Surah Ali ’Imran

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