Quran Verses about Knowledge and seeking it

وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِي بِأَسۡمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٣١

Wa ʿallama ādamal-asmāʾa kullahā thumma ʿaraḍahum ʿalal-malāʾikati faqāla anbiʾūnī biʾasmāʾi hāʾulāʾi in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful."

قَالُواْ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ٣٢

Qālū subḥānaka lā ʿilma lanā illā mā ʿallamtanā, innaka antal-ʿalīmul-ḥakīm.

They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing,¹ the Wise."²

كَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِيكُمۡ رَسُولٗا مِّنكُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمۡ تَكُونُواْ تَعۡلَمُونَ ١٥١

Kamā arsalnā fīkum rasūlam minkum yatlū ʿalaykum āyātinā wa yuzakkīkum wa yuʿallimukumul-kitāba wal-ḥikmata wa yuʿallimukum mā lam takūnū taʿlamūn.

Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom¹ and teaching you that which you did not know.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ ٢

Huwal-ladhī baʿatha fil-ummiyyīna rasūlam minhum yatlū ʿalayhim āyātihī wa yuzakkīhim wa yuʿallimuhumul-kitāba wal-ḥikmata wa in kānū min qablu lafī ḍalālim mubīn.

It is He who has sent among the unlettered [Arabs] a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] and wisdom [i.e., the sunnah] - although they were before in clear error -

ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ١

Iqraʾ bismi rabbikal-ladhī khalaq.

Recite in the name of your Lord who created –

خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ ٢

Khalaqal-insāna min ʿalaq.

Created man from a clinging substance.

ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ ٣

Iqraʾ wa rabbukal-akram.

Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -

ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلۡقَلَمِ ٤

Al-ladhī ʿallama bil-qalam.

Who taught by the pen –

عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ ٥

ʿAllamal-insāna mā lam yaʿlam.

Taught man that which he knew not.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَٰتٞ مُّحۡكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٞۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٞ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦۖ وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلّٞ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٧

Huwal-ladhī anzala ʿalaykal-kitāba minhu āyātum muḥkamātun hunna ummul-kitābi wa ukharu mutashābihāt, fa ammal-ladhīna fī qulūbihim zayghun fayattabiʿūna mā tashābaha minhubtighāʾal-fitnati wabtighāʾa taʾwīlih, wa mā yaʿlamu taʾwīlahū illallāh, war-rāsikhūna fil-ʿilmi yaqūlūna āmannā bihī kullum min ʿindi rabbinā, wa mā yadhdhakkaru illā ulul-albāb.

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.¹ 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,

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآئِمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ ١٨

Shahidallāhu annahū lā ilāha illā huwa wal-malāʾikatu wa ulul-ʿilmi qāʾimam bil-qisṭ, lā ilāha illā huwal-ʿazīzul-ḥakīm.

Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

لَّٰكِنِ ٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مِنۡهُمۡ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبۡلِكَۚ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِينَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۚ وَٱلۡمُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ سَنُؤۡتِيهِمۡ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمًا ١٦٢

Lākinir-rāsikhūna fil-ʿilmi minhum wal-muʾminūna yuʾminūna bimā unzila ilayka wa mā unzila min qablik, wal-muqīmīnaṣ-ṣalāh, wal-muʾtūnaz-zakāta wal-muʾminūna billāhi wal-yawmil-ākhiri ulāʾika sanuʾtīhim ajran ʿaẓīmā.

But those firm in knowledge among them and the believers believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what was revealed before you. And the establishers of prayer [especially] and the givers of zakāh and the believers in Allāh and the Last Day - those We will give a great reward.

وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَسۡتَ مُرۡسَلٗاۚ قُلۡ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدَۢا بَيۡنِي وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ وَمَنۡ عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٤٣

Wa yaqūlul-ladhīna kafarū lasta mursalā, qul kafā billāhi shahīdam baynī wa baynakum wa man ʿindahū ʿilmul-kitāb.

And those who have disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger." Say, [O Muḥammad], "Sufficient is Allāh as Witness between me and you, and [the witness of] whoever has knowledge of the Scripture."¹

ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَكَآءِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَٰٓقُّونَ فِيهِمۡۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡيَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ ٢٧

Thumma yawmal-qiyāmati yukhzīhim wa yaqūlu ayna shurakāʾiyal-ladhīna kuntum tushāqqūna fīhim, qālal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma innal-khizyal-yawma was-sūʾa ʿalal-kāfirīn.

Then on the Day of Resurrection He will disgrace them and say, "Where are My 'partners' for whom you used to oppose [the believers]?" Those who were given knowledge will say, "Indeed disgrace, this Day, and evil are upon the disbelievers" -

قُلۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِهِۦٓ أَوۡ لَا تُؤۡمِنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ يَخِرُّونَۤ لِلۡأَذۡقَانِۤ سُجَّدٗاۤ ١٠٧

Qul āminū bihī aw lā tuʾminū, innal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma min qablihī idhā yutlā ʿalayhim yakhirrūna lil-adhqāni sujjadā.

Say, "Believe in it or do not believe." Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it¹ - when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration,

وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦ فَتُخۡبِتَ لَهُۥ قُلُوبُهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ ٥٤

Waliyaʿlamal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma annahul-ḥaqqu mir rabbika fayuʾminū bihī fatukhbita lahū qulūbuhum, wa innallāha lahādil-ladhīna āmanū ilā ṣirāṭim mustaqīm.

And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allāh the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَيۡلَكُمۡ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّمَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗاۚ وَلَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ ٨٠

Wa qālal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma waylakum thawābullāhi khayrul liman āmana wa ʿamila ṣāliḥā, wa lā yulaqqāhā illaṣ-ṣābirūn.

But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allāh is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."

وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِۖ وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡعَٰلِمُونَ ٤٣

Wa tilkal-amthālu naḍribuhā lin-nās, wa mā yaʿqiluhā illal-ʿālimūn.

And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

بَلۡ هُوَ ءَايَٰتُۢ بَيِّنَٰتٞ فِي صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَۚ وَمَا يَجۡحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ٤٩

Bal huwa āyātum bayyinātun fī ṣudūril-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilm, wa mā yajḥadu biʾāyātinā illaẓ-ẓālimūn.

Rather, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَٱلۡإِيمَٰنَ لَقَدۡ لَبِثۡتُمۡ فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡبَعۡثِۖ فَهَٰذَا يَوۡمُ ٱلۡبَعۡثِ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٥٦

Wa qālal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma wal-īmāna laqad labithtum fī kitābillāhi ilā yawmil-baʿth, fahādhā yawmul-baʿthi wa lākinnakum kuntum lā taʿlamūn.

But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "You remained the extent of Allāh's decree until the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not used to know."¹

وَيَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَيَهۡدِيٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ ٦

Wa yaral-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilmal-ladhī unzila ilayka mir rabbika huwal-ḥaqqa wa yahdī ilā ṣirāṭil-ʿazīzil-ḥamīd.

And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, and it guides to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ مُخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَۗ إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَٰٓؤُاْۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ ٢٨

Wa minan-nāsi wad-dawābbi wal-anʿāmi mukhtalifun alwānuhū kadhālik, innamā yakhshallāha min ʿibādihil-ʿulamāʾ, innallāha ʿazīzun ghafūr.

And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.

أَمَّنۡ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ سَاجِدٗا وَقَآئِمٗا يَحۡذَرُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَيَرۡجُواْ رَحۡمَةَ رَبِّهِۦۗ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِي ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٩

Amman huwa qānitun ānāʾal-layli sājidaw wa qāʾimay yaḥdharul-ākhirata wa yarjū raḥmata rabbih, qul hal yastawil-ladhīna yaʿlamūna wal-ladhīna lā yaʿlamūn, innamā yatadhakkaru ulul-albāb.

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمۡ تَفَسَّحُواْ فِي ٱلۡمَجَٰلِسِ فَٱفۡسَحُواْ يَفۡسَحِ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ ٱنشُزُواْ فَٱنشُزُواْ يَرۡفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ دَرَجَٰتٖۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٞ ١١

Yāʾayyuhal-ladhīna āmanū idhā qīla lakum tafassaḥū fil-majālisi fafsaḥū yafsaḥillāhu lakum, wa idhā qīlanshuzū fanshuzū yarfaʿillāhul-ladhīna āmanū minkum wal-ladhīna ūtul-ʿilma darajāt, wallāhu bimā taʿmalūna khabīr.

O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allāh will make space for you.¹ And when you are told, "Arise,"² then arise; Allāh will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allāh is Aware of what you do.

فَبَدَأَ بِأَوۡعِيَتِهِمۡ قَبۡلَ وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَخۡرَجَهَا مِن وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدۡنَا لِيُوسُفَۖ مَا كَانَ لِيَأۡخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِ ٱلۡمَلِكِ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ نَرۡفَعُ دَرَجَٰتٖ مَّن نَّشَآءُۗ وَفَوۡقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلۡمٍ عَلِيمٞ ٧٦

Fabadaʾa biʾawʿiyatihim qabla wiʿāʾi akhīhi thummastakhrajahā miw wiʿāʾi akhīh, kadhālika kidnā liyūsuf, mā kāna liyaʾkhudha akhāhu fī dīnil-maliki illā ay yashāʾallāh, narfaʿu darajātim man nashāʾ, wa fawqa kulli dhī ʿilmin ʿalīm.

So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion [i.e., law] of the king except that Allāh willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.¹

وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّي وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا ٨٥

Wa yasʾalūnaka ʿanir-rūḥ, qulir-rūḥu min amri rabbī wa mā ūtītum minal-ʿilmi illā qalīlā.

And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair [i.e., concern] of my Lord. And you [i.e., mankind] have not been given of knowledge except a little."

فَوَجَدَا عَبۡدٗا مِّنۡ عِبَادِنَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ رَحۡمَةٗ مِّنۡ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمۡنَٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلۡمٗا ٦٥

Fawajadā ʿabdam min ʿibādinā ātaynāhu raḥmatam min ʿindinā wa ʿallamnāhu mil ladunnā ʿilmā.

And they found a servant from among Our servants [i.e., al-Khiḍr] to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.

قَالَ لَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ هَلۡ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمۡتَ رُشۡدٗا ٦٦

Qāla lahū mūsā hal attabiʿuka ʿalā an tuʿallimani mimmā ʿullimta rushdā.

Moses said to him, "May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?"

قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسۡتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبۡرٗا ٦٧

Qāla innaka lan tastaṭīʿa maʿiya ṣabrā.

He said, "Indeed, with me you will never be able to have patience.

وَكَيۡفَ تَصۡبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمۡ تُحِطۡ بِهِۦ خُبۡرٗا ٦٨

Wa kayfa taṣbiru ʿalā mā lam tuḥiṭ bihī khubrā.

And how can you have patience for what you do not encompass in knowledge?"

فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡحَقُّۗ وَلَا تَعۡجَلۡ بِٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يُقۡضَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ وَحۡيُهُۥۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدۡنِي عِلۡمٗا ١١٤

Fataʿālallāhul-malikul-ḥaqq, wa lā taʿjal bil-qurʾāni min qabli ay yuqḍā ilayka waḥyuh, wa qul rabbi zidnī ʿilmā.

So high [above all] is Allāh, the Sovereign,¹ the Truth.² 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."

۞ وَمَا كَانَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةٗۚ فَلَوۡلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرۡقَةٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي ٱلدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوۡمَهُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَحۡذَرُونَ ١٢٢

Wa mā kānal-muʾminūna liyanfirū kāffah, falawlā nafara min kulli firqatim minhum ṭāʾifatul liyatafaqqahū fid-dīni waliyundhirū qawmahum idhā rajaʿū ilayhim laʿallahum yaḥdharūn.

And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn [i.e., advise] their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالٗا نُّوحِيٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡۖ فَسۡـَٔلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٤٣

Wa mā arsalnā min qablika illā rijālan nūḥī ilayhim, fasʾalū ahladh-dhikri in kuntum lā taʿlamūn.

And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.

وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسۡـُٔولٗا ٣٦

Wa lā taqfu mā laysa laka bihī ʿilm, innas-samʿa wal-baṣara wal-fuʾāda kullu ulāʾika kāna ʿanhu masʾūlā.

And do not pursue¹ that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيۡطَٰنٖ مَّرِيدٖ ٣

Wa minan-nāsi may yujādilu fillāhi bighayri ʿilmiw wa yattabiʿu kulla shayṭānim marīd.

And of the people is he who disputes about Allāh without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَٰدِلُ فِي ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖ وَلَا هُدٗى وَلَا كِتَٰبٖ مُّنِيرٖ ٨

Wa minan-nāsi may yujādilu fillāhi bighayri ʿilmiw wa lā hudaw wa lā kitābim munīr.

And of the people is he who disputes about Allāh without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening book [from Him],

إِذۡ تَلَقَّوۡنَهُۥ بِأَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيۡسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ وَتَحۡسَبُونَهُۥ هَيِّنٗا وَهُوَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمٞ ١٥

Idh talaqqawnahū biʾalsinatikum wa taqūlūna biʾafwāhikum mā laysa lakum bihī ʿilmuw wa taḥsabūnahū hayyinaw wa huwa ʿindallāhi ʿaẓīm.

When you received it with your tongues¹ and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of Allāh, tremendous.

وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغۡنِي مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ شَيۡـٔٗا ٢٨

Wa mā lahum bihī min ʿilm, iy yattabiʿūna illaẓ-ẓann, wa innaẓ-ẓanna lā yughnī minal-ḥaqqi shayʾā.

And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.

وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ بَعَثَ لَكُمۡ طَالُوتَ مَلِكٗاۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ عَلَيۡنَا وَنَحۡنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡمُلۡكِ مِنۡهُ وَلَمۡ يُؤۡتَ سَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَالِۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسۡطَةٗ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَٱلۡجِسۡمِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤۡتِي مُلۡكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ ٢٤٧

Wa qāla lahum nabiyyuhum innallāha qad baʿatha lakum ṭālūta malikā, qālū annā yakūnu lahul-mulku ʿalaynā wa naḥnu aḥaqqu bil-mulki minhu wa lam yuʾta saʿatam minal-māl, qāla innallāhaṣṭafāhu ʿalaykum wa zādahū basṭatan fil-ʿilmi wal-jism, wallāhu yuʾtī mulkahū may yashāʾ, wallāhu wāsiʿun ʿalīm.

And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allāh has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allāh has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allāh gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٢٥١

Fahazamūhum biʾidhnillāhi wa qatala dāwūdu jālūta wa ātāhullāhul-mulka wal-ḥikmata wa ʿallamahū mimmā yashāʾ, wa lawlā dafʿullāhin-nāsa baʿḍahum bibaʿḍil lafasadatil-arḍu wa lākinnallāha dhū faḍlin ʿalal-ʿālamīn.

So they defeated them by permission of Allāh, and David killed Goliath, and Allāh gave him the kingship and wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allāh checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the worlds.

يُؤۡتِي ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُؤۡتَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ فَقَدۡ أُوتِيَ خَيۡرٗا كَثِيرٗاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ٢٦٩

Yuʾtil-ḥikmata may yashāʾ, wa may yuʾtal-ḥikmata faqad ūtiya khayran kathīrā, wa mā yadhdhakkaru illā ulul-albāb.

He gives wisdom¹ to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.

وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ ٤٨

Wa yuʿallimuhul-kitāba wal-ḥikmata wat-tawrāta wal-injīl.

And He will teach him writing and wisdom¹ and the Torah and the Gospel

وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأۡوِيلِ ٱلۡأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ ءَالِ يَعۡقُوبَ كَمَآ أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَبَوَيۡكَ مِن قَبۡلُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٞ ٦

Wa kadhālika yajtabīka rabbuka wa yuʿallimuka min taʾwīlil-aḥādīthi wa yutimmu niʿmatahū ʿalayka wa ʿalā āli yaʿqūba kamā atammahā ʿalā abawayka min qablu ibrāhīma wa isḥāq, inna rabbaka ʿalīmun ḥakīm.

And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise."

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥٓ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ٢٢

Wa lammā balagha ashuddahū ātaynāhu ḥukmaw wa ʿilmā, wa kadhālika najzil-muḥsinīn.

And when he [i.e., Joseph] reached maturity, We gave him judgement and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.

وَلَمَّا دَخَلُواْ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ أَمَرَهُمۡ أَبُوهُم مَّا كَانَ يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٍ إِلَّا حَاجَةٗ فِي نَفۡسِ يَعۡقُوبَ قَضَىٰهَاۚ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذُو عِلۡمٖ لِّمَا عَلَّمۡنَٰهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٦٨

Wa lammā dakhalū min ḥaythu amarahum abūhum mā kāna yughnī ʿanhum minallāhi min shayʾin illā ḥājatan fī nafsi yaʿqūba qaḍāhā, wa innahū ladhū ʿilmil limā ʿallamnāhu wa lākinna aktharan-nāsi lā yaʿlamūn.

And when they entered from where their father had ordered them, it did not avail them against Allāh at all except [it was] a need [i.e., concern] within the soul of Jacob, which he satisfied. And indeed, he was a possessor of knowledge because of what We had taught him, but most of the people do not know.

يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدۡ جَآءَنِي مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعۡنِيٓ أَهۡدِكَ صِرَٰطٗا سَوِيّٗا ٤٣

Yāʾabati innī qad jāʾanī minal-ʿilmi mā lam yaʾtika fattabiʿnī ahdika ṣirāṭan sawiyyā.

O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path.

وَلُوطًا ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗا وَنَجَّيۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةِ ٱلَّتِي كَانَت تَّعۡمَلُ ٱلۡخَبَٰٓئِثَۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمَ سَوۡءٖ فَٰسِقِينَ ٧٤

Wa lūṭan ātaynāhu ḥukmaw wa ʿilmaw wa najjaynāhu minal-qaryatil-latī kānat taʿmalul-khabāʾith, innahum kānū qawma sawʾin fāsiqīn.

And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient.

فَفَهَّمۡنَٰهَا سُلَيۡمَٰنَۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيۡنَا حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗاۚ وَسَخَّرۡنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحۡنَ وَٱلطَّيۡرَۚ وَكُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ ٧٩

Fafahhamnāhā sulaymān, wa kullan ātaynā ḥukmaw wa ʿilmā, wa sakhkharnā maʿa dāwūdal-jibāla yusabbiḥna waṭ-ṭayr, wa kunnā fāʿilīn.

And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].¹

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيۡمَٰنَ عِلۡمٗاۖ وَقَالَا ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٖ مِّنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ١٥

Wa laqad ātaynā dāwūda wa sulaymāna ʿilmā, wa qālal-ḥamdu lillāhil-ladhī faḍḍalanā ʿalā kathīrim min ʿibādihil-muʾminīn.

And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allāh, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."

قَالَ ٱلَّذِي عِندَهُۥ عِلۡمٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَن يَرۡتَدَّ إِلَيۡكَ طَرۡفُكَۚ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّي لِيَبۡلُوَنِيٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّي غَنِيّٞ كَرِيمٞ ٤٠

Qālal-ladhī ʿindahū ʿilmum minal-kitābi ana ātīka bihī qabla ay yartadda ilayka ṭarfuk, falammā raʾāhu mustaqirran ʿindahū qāla hādhā min faḍli rabbī liyabluwanī aʾashkuru am akfur, wa man shakara fa innamā yashkuru linafsih, wa man kafara fa inna rabbī ghaniyyun karīm.

Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡ قِيلَ أَهَٰكَذَا عَرۡشُكِۖ قَالَتۡ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَۚ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسۡلِمِينَ ٤٢

Falammā jāʾat qīla ahākadhā ʿarshuk, qālat kaʾannahū huw, wa ūtīnal-ʿilma min qablihā wa kunnā muslimīn.

So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allāh].

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَٱسۡتَوَىٰٓ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ١٤

Wa lammā balagha ashuddahū wastawā ātaynāhu ḥukmaw wa ʿilmā, wa kadhālika najzil-muḥsinīn.

And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا لُقۡمَٰنَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ أَنِ ٱشۡكُرۡ لِلَّهِۚ وَمَن يَشۡكُرۡ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٞ ١٢

Wa laqad ātaynā luqmānal-ḥikmata anishkur lillāh, wa may yashkur fa innamā yashkuru linafsih, wa man kafara fa innallāha ghaniyyun ḥamīd.

And We had certainly given Luqmān wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allāh." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allāh is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

وَشَدَدۡنَا مُلۡكَهُۥ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَفَصۡلَ ٱلۡخِطَابِ ٢٠

Wa shadadnā mulkahū wa ātaynāhul-ḥikmata wa faṣlal-khiṭāb.

And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.