A single verse from Al Qur'an that clarifies prophecy, revelation, and humanity's relationship with Allah

Every Divine religion and the prophets encountered similar resistance from their people. But after a new religion, the thrust of their onslaught shifted to the new religion. The major concern has always been expressed by the rich and the affluent who objected to a prophet being chosen not from their status but from ordinary people. This surprised them that they were bypassed by "God" and took it as their humiliation. The same was the case with Prophet Muhammad وَحْي, who was not among the rich and powerful and was even an orphan. And was thus subjected to extreme criticism. That is why Allah revealed an entire Surah explaining the role of the prophet and how revelations were sent to him

Surah 42. Ash-Shūrā, verse 51 is regarded by many scholars as one of the Quran's foundational verses on how Allah communicates with human beings. It establishes the modes of divine revelation and clarifies the distinction between the Creator and His creation. Although it is a single verse, it has shaped Islamic understanding of prophecy, revelation, and humanity's relationship with Allah.

The verse states:

"It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (an angel) to reveal, by His permission, whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, Most Wise." (42:51)

The context of the verse

The passage including verses 44–53 of Surah Ash-Shūrā forms the conclusion of the surah. Throughout the chapter, Allah answers questions raised by those who rejected the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, including:

• Why should we believe this revelation?
• Why does Allah not speak directly to everyone?
• How can Muhammad ﷺ claim to speak on behalf of Allah?

Verse 51 responds by explaining that Allah has always communicated with human beings through chosen means. The Prophet's experience was not an exception but part of a pattern seen throughout the history of revelation.

The next verse (42:52) applies this principle directly to the Prophet ﷺ:

"And thus We have revealed to you a Spirit from Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor what faith was, but We made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants..."

Why the sequence is important

Allah explains the general principle of revelation (42:51). He then explains that the Quran came to Muhammad ﷺ through that very process (42:52).

The three modes of revelation

The verse describes three ways in which Allah communicates with His prophets.

1. By revelation (wahy)

This refers to inspiration that Allah places directly into the heart or mind of a prophet without ordinary speech. Scholars mention that this includes forms of revelation such as true dreams granted to prophets, as well as direct inspiration.

For example, authentic hadith report that before the Quran began to be revealed, the Prophet ﷺ experienced truthful dreams that came true as clearly as the break of dawn. The essential point is that this communication is certain and divinely guided—it is not speculation or personal intuition.

2. From behind a veil

This means Allah speaks without being seen. The best-known example is Musa (Moses), who spoke with Allah at Mount Sinai but did not see Him directly.

The Quran says elsewhere: "When Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him..." (7:143). Yet when Moses asked to see Allah, he was told that he could not bear the sight in this worldly life. The "veil" preserves the distinction between the Creator and creation while affirming that Allah truly spoke to His prophet.

3. By sending a messenger

This refers to the angel Jibril (Gabriel), who conveyed Allah's words to prophets. This is how most of the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over approximately twenty-three years. The Quran was not the Prophet's own composition or reflection; it was delivered through Jibril by Allah's command.

Why is this verse so important?

1. It defines revelation

This verse is the Quran's clearest explanation of how revelation occurs. Without it, people might imagine many different ways in which God communicates. The verse establishes boundaries: Allah communicates as He wills, through means that preserve His transcendence and wisdom.

2. It protects Allah's transcendence

Notice how the verse begins: "It is not for any human being..."

The wording emphasizes that human beings cannot demand a direct encounter with Allah - for Allah is: "Most High, Most Wise."

This reminds believers that the relationship between Creator and creation is not one of equals. Allah chooses the manner and timing of revelation according to His wisdom.

3. It establishes the role of prophets

The verse explains why prophets are necessary. If every person received revelation in the same way, there would be no need for prophets. Instead, Allah chose specific individuals to receive revelation and convey it faithfully to humanity.

This is one reason prophets occupy a unique place in Islam: they are recipients of revelation, not merely wise teachers.

4. It distinguishes revelation from ordinary human thought

One of the most important implications of the verse is that revelation is not the same as inspiration, intuition, or personal insight. A believer may feel inspired to do good or may gain wisdom through reflection, but that is not wahy وَحْي in the prophetic sense. 

According to mainstream Islamic belief, prophetic revelation ended with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This distinction protects the uniqueness of the Quran as divine revelation.

Scholarly commentary

Ibn Kathir explains that the verse summarizes the ways Allah communicated with His prophets. He cites examples such as Allah speaking to Moses and Jibril conveying revelation to Muhammad ﷺ. He also notes that this verse demonstrates Allah's exalted status and the honor bestowed upon the prophets through revelation.

Al-Tabari emphasizes that the verse refutes the idea that ordinary people can expect direct speech from Allah. Communication occurs according to Allah's wisdom and by the methods He has chosen.

Fakhr al-Din al-Razi reflects on the theological significance of the verse, highlighting that it both affirms Allah's communication with humanity and safeguards His transcendence. He sees the verse as balancing nearness—Allah guides and reveals—with His absolute majesty and uniqueness.

What does this mean for us today?

Although this verse is about prophets, it has enduring lessons for every believer. We receive guidance through revelation, not new prophecy. Muslims do not expect fresh revelation after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Instead, they seek guidance by studying and applying the Quran and the Prophet's authentic teachings.

Humility before the unseen: The verse reminds us that not every spiritual feeling is a message from Allah. It encourages humility and caution, distinguishing personal impressions from revealed truth.

Value the Quran: If Allah chose this carefully ordered process to communicate with humanity, then the Quran deserves careful study and reflection. It is not merely a historical text but the primary source of guidance in Islam.

Respect the limits of human knowledge: The verse teaches that there are realities beyond direct human access. We know what Allah has chosen to reveal, and we acknowledge the limits of what we can know independently.

A deeper reflection

Verse 42:51 answers a timeless human desire: "Why doesn't God just speak directly to everyone?" The Quran's response is that revelation is not a right that humans can demand; it is a gift granted according to Allah's wisdom. By revealing His guidance through prophets and preserving it in the Quran, Allah provides a stable, public, and enduring message rather than leaving each person to rely on private spiritual experiences that cannot be verified.

For believers today, this has practical significance. It encourages us to anchor our faith in the Quran and authentic prophetic teachings rather than in subjective impressions or claims of special revelation. At the same time, it invites gratitude: while we do not receive prophetic revelation ourselves, we have access to the message that Allah chose to convey to humanity through His final Messenger. The verse therefore directs us to approach the Quran not as an ordinary book, but as the preserved result of a divinely ordained process of communication between the Creator and His messengers.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah (42) Ash-Shūrā – The Consultation    already published

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Beware of the Evil Eye - Sometimes it cuts through your body (Selected verses from Al Qur'an)

Generally, mst men (including women) feel jealous of blessings bestowed on others despite being heavily blessed themselves. This jealousy and envy gives birth to the proverbial Evil Eye. Although, there is no scientific proof of the existence of the Evil Eye or  its harmful effects, yet it is a widely held cultural and spiritual belief that a malevolent, envious glare, or even an admiring gaze can cause misfortune, illness, or harm to the person being looked at. It is often described as negative energy stemming from jealousy. While not scientifically proven, it is treated as a real spiritual phenomenon in many cultures. 

While in all cultures and religions, mention of the Evil Eye exists, it does too in Islam. In fact there are many a ayat of Al Qur'an and Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  that make a mention of existence of the evil eye and its harmful effect. We have already shared many a Hadiths on the subject, of which we will make a mention of as we progress through this post. But for now, we share the 51st verse of Surah 68. Al Qalam (The Pen) which speaks of this menace.

The Verse:

وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ 

The disbelievers would almost cut you down with their eyes when they hear ˹you recite˺ the Reminder,1 and say, “He is certainly a madman.”

The translation of this verse varies by some translators / scholars in which instead of cutting down is replaced by tripping down / slipping, meaning making someone lose ground of the strength his opinion.

“And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say, ‘He is surely mad.’”

Let us unpack this verse as noted by the scholars of Islam:

Apparent (Ẓāhir) Meaning

This verse describes two things happening to the Prophet ﷺ:

• Intense hostility of disbelievers
• When the Prophet ﷺ made known to the elders of Makkah about his elation to the prophethood, they simply mocked him and rejected him for the reason that Prophet ﷺ was an orphan and not much affluent as other big wees of Makkah. The considered it inappropriate that an orphan has been preferred over them and entrusted with the prophethood.
• Thus they looked at him with hatred, jealousy and of course anger.
• And this hatred and envy is mentioned in the above said ayat / verse: “Almost make you slip with their eyes” which means their looks were so intense it’s as if they could harm him.
• Verbal attack Beside being eyeing him with evil eyes full of envy and hatred, they also hurled verbal assault on him, calling Prophet ﷺ as a “Mad” (majnoon) man." This added to the fuel to the physical hostility (evil looks), and aggravating their intense hatred for having been made superior to them.
• Please read our earlier post for more on Evil Eye: The harmful influence and reality of Evil Eye

Explanation of the Evil Eye by Scholars

• Famous 14th century scholar and exegete Ibn Kathir notes that this verse can refer to the evil eye (ʿayn) or intense hatred that almost harms.
• Al-Qurtubi affirms: that the verse is evidence that evil eye is real. However, he adds that it reflects psychological hostility and envy.

Deeper Meaning (Wisdom)

• Truth attracts opposition Being right doesn’t mean being accepted. That is why when the Prophet ﷺ brought truth and called them upon to Islam, he was faced with intense hatred and mockery. He was not verbally assaulted, but was also physically assaulted at many a times. The stoning of Prophet ﷺ by the street children and the elders in the city of Taif is a case in point.
• Envy can be destructive Their reaction wasn’t neutral, but it was emotionally charged. This is a universal truth that envy can become harmful, both physically and spiritually.
• Emotional aggression
• The verse captures non-physical harm like the bad looks and abusive language.
• Islam recognizes that harm is not only physical, but has many diemnsions.

Similar Verses in the Qur’an

As mentioned earlier, the mention of evil eye is made at many a place in AL Qur'an, some mentioned herein under:

• Surah Al-Falaq (113:5): “And from the evil of the envier when he envies.” Here  a prayer is made to prevent harm from the evil of the envier when it envies.
• Surah Yusuf The brothers of Yusuf (AS) envied him so intensely that it brought real harm to Prophet Yusuf when he was thrown into a dead well by his brother.
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:109): “Many of the أهل الكتاب wish to turn you back… out of envy…”

* Note: Please refer to our exegesis of above quoted Surahs/verses from our reference page: 114 Chapters (Surahs) of the Holy Qur'an: Summary /Translation, Exegesis / Tafsir “التفسير “

Hadith on Evil Eye

In addition to Al Qur'an, there are many a Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which caution the believers of be weary of the harmful effects evil eye:

• Sahih al-Bukhari: “The evil eye is real.”
• Sahih Muslim: “If anything were to overtake destiny, it would be the evil eye.”

This hadiths point toward the fact that the evil eye has a powerful effect, but can be warded of by turning to Allah.

Is this verse applicable to everyone?

Although, this verse is specifically for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but in principle it is applicable to everyone for ordinary men and women too are envious of others' blessings and when they see someone in a better state from them, their envious heart vying for more induces in them negative reactions which are get transformed into dirty and evil looks, meaning harm. In many a case, one can feel the envy and it should be taken as a general warning and awareness, not paranoia, though.

Relevance Today

Is this verse and related hadiths relevant today? Yes indeed. One attracts evil eye from over projection like the following:

• Social exposure People are generally showy and tend to display their success, wealth, and even good health - which leads to envy and the evil eye.
• Silent negativity  Not all harm is spoken - it may come from meaningful looks, bad feelings and intentions.
• Being criticized for doing right Sometimes doing good or doing better than others are taken as point scoring, specially in the corporates world which often attract mockery (just like in the verse) for downplaying others.

How to protect against the harmful effects of the Evil Eye

Turning to Allah whenever one is blessed something more than others or put in a better position and praying to be protected from the envy of the others. Here are some tips for personal as well as protection of the family:

• Avoid showing off blessings unnecessarily - Not everything needs to be public, even from one's own siblings.
• Reciting the last two chapters of Al Qur'an: Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas. (Read our previous post on "Striking resemblance between Surahs Falaq and Naas." which give an insight to ward of internal and external evil
• Hasan Basri (رح) reports that if anyone is affected by the evil eye, these verses (51 52) may be recited and blown on the person: the ill effect will be dispelled.
• Also read our previous posts:
• For Protection against Evil and envious eye (Hadith 3371)
• How to seek refuge from all forms of Evil  (Hadith 1551)
• Supplication for the protection from every evil (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Final Reflection

This verse shows that not everyone who opposes you is rational — but sometimes it is the Envy, Ego That makes one vulnerable to the harm which is inadvertently intended when one is better placed in a position or blessed more.

Remember! Evil eye and envy are real - so seek protection from Allah whenever put in a better place than others around and be extra grateful for the blessings so bestowed upon you.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 68 Al Qalam (The Pen)  already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More