Tafseer of The Rock · Al-Hijr · 15:1
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the Book and a clear Qur'an.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
As for His word — exalted be His praise and hallowed be His Names — الر : its explanation has already been set forth in an earlier place. As for His word تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ (these are the verses of the Book): He means thereby: these are the verses of the Books that came before the Qurʾān, such as the Torah and the Gospel. وَقُرْآنٍ (and of a Qurʾān): he says: and the verses of a Qurʾān. مُبِينٍ (a clarifying one): he says: which makes clear, to whoever ponders and reflects upon it, his right way and his guidance.
As in:
Bishr ibn Muʿādh related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning وَقُرْآنٍ مُبِينٍ : he said: "It makes clear — by Allah — its guidance, its right way and its good."
Al-Muthanná related to us, saying: Abū Nuʿaym related to us, saying: Sufyān related to us, on the authority of Mujāhid, concerning الر : "Opening letters with which He opens His discourse." تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ : he said: "The Torah and the Gospel."
Al-Muthanná related to me, saying: Isḥāq related to us, saying: Hishām related to us, on the authority of ʿAmr, on the authority of Saʿīd, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His word الر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ : he said: "The Books that came before the Qurʾān."
