Transliteration:( Laqad kaana fee qasasihim 'ibratul li ulil albaab; maa kaana hadeethany yuftaraa wa laakin tasdeeqal lazee baina yadaihi wa tafseela kulli shai'inw wa hudanw wa rahmatal liqawminy yu'minoon )
Certainly, in their tidings, there is a lesson for those of understanding [231]. This is not a fabricated narration, but a confirmation of what came before it and a detailed explanation of all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe [232].
This verse highlights that within the stories of previous nations and Prophets, there is deep instruction for the people of intellect and reflection. Two key points emerge:
Faith-strengthening role of sacred stories: The stories of the pious, truthful, and steadfast are a source of spiritual nourishment, increasing piety, inner peace, and trust in Allah.
The value of true intelligence: The truly wise are those who derive lessons from these narratives and embrace faith. By contrast, a disbeliever, regardless of his worldly cunning, is devoid of real understanding. The analogy given: just as an animal that only produces waste without benefit (like milk) is fit to be slaughtered, so too is worldly intellect that fails to lead to religious truth—it is worthless and destructive in the divine scale.
This portion of the verse emphasizes the absolute finality and truthfulness of the Holy Qur’an. Key lessons include:
Finality of Prophethood and Revelation: The Qur’an has not foretold the coming of any new Prophet or divine scripture. It confirms the truth of previous scriptures and Prophets, and completes the divine message for humanity.
Global Verification of Prophets: One unique benefit that earlier Prophets received from the Qur’an is its worldwide testimony of their truthfulness, thereby elevating their legacy globally.
Exclusive Honor to the Beloved Prophet ﷺ: The verse also points to the blessing and elevation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, whose unseen knowledge and details of the past and future are manifested in the Qur’an—all recorded in the Preserved Tablet (Lawh Mahfuz).
Guidance and Mercy for Believers:
The general mercy of the Qur’an is available to all mankind, offering warning and opportunity for salvation.
The special mercy and guidance, however, are reserved for true believers, helping them achieve spiritual goals, earn divine proximity, and ultimately attain Paradise.
111. Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding. It (the Qur’an) is not a forged statement but a confirmation of that which was before it and a detailed explanation of everything and a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.
Allah states here that the stories of the Messengers and their nations and how we saved the believers and destroyed the disbelievers are,
(a lesson for men of understanding), who have sound minds,
(It is not a forged statement.) Allah says here that this Qur’an could not have been forged; it truly came from Allah,
(but a confirmation of that which was before it) in reference to the previously revealed Divine Books, by which this Qur’an testifies to the true parts that remain in them and denies and refutes the forged parts that were added, changed and falsified by people. The Qur’an accepts or abrogates whatever Allah wills of these Books,
(and a detailed explanation of everything) Meaning the allowed, the prohibited, the preferred and the disliked matters. The Qur’an deals with the acts of worship, the obligatory and recommended matters, forbids the unlawful and discourages from the disliked. The Qur’an contains major facts regarding the existence and about matters of the future in general terms or in detail. The Qur’an tells us about the Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored, and about His Names and Attributes and teaches us that Allah is glorified from being similar in any way to the creation. Hence, the Qur’an is,
(a guide and a mercy for the people who believe.) with which their hearts are directed from misguidance to guidance and from deviation to conformance, and with which they seek the mercy of the Lord of all creation in this life and on the Day of Return. We ask Allah the Most Great to make us among this group in the life of the present world and in the Hereafter, on the Day when those who are successful will have faces that radiate with light, while those whose faces are dark will end up with the losing deal. This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Yusuf; and all the thanks and praises are due to Allah, and all our trust and reliance are on Him Alone.
(12:111) Certainly in the stories of the bygone people there is a lesson for people of understanding. What is being narrated in the Qur’an is no fabrication; it is rather confirmation of the Books that preceded it, and a detailed[80] exposition of everything, and a guidance and mercy for people of faith.
80. That is, it gives details of everything that is required for the guidance of man. Some people take details of everything to mean the details of everything in the world. So, when they do not find in it the details of mathematics, physics, medicine etc. etc. they become skeptical. Whereas the Quran claims to give the details of only one subject, “Guidance”, for which it has been sent down, and it does give the details of everything that is essential for it.
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