Surah Ali 'Imran 3:48
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ · Medinan · Verse 48 of 200
وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ
Translation
He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, part of the profound angelic prophecy to Maryam (Mary), details the extraordinary education and divine gifts that her son, Isa (Jesus), would receive from Allah. It's a glimpse into the meticulous planning of his prophetic mission, conveyed through the specific choice and arrangement of words.
Divine Instruction
The verse begins with the verb "وَيُعَلِّمُهُ" (Wa yu’allimuhū), meaning "And He will teach him." This choice of wording, as noted by scholars like Ibn Ashur, emphasizes that Allah Himself is the direct Educator of Isa. Some readings of the Quran use the pronoun "We" (وَنُعَلِّمُهُ, wa nu’allimuhū), which is a common expression of Allah’s majesty and greatness. Both readings underscore that Isa’s knowledge wasn't merely acquired through conventional means but was a direct, divine endowment. This highlights that true wisdom and understanding ultimately stem from the Divine Source.
Layers of Knowledge
The verse then lists four distinct but interconnected areas of learning: "ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ" (the Book, and the Wisdom, and the Torah, and the Gospel).
First, "ٱلْكِتَٰبَ" (al-Kitāb). While it can refer to a scripture, scholars like al-Jalalayn and al-Razi suggest it means "writing" or "the art of scripture." This implies that Isa would be granted the fundamental ability of literacy, a basic but essential tool for conveying divine messages.
Next comes "ٱلْحِكْمَةَ" (al-Hikmah), meaning "Wisdom." Al-Razi beautifully expands on this, explaining it as encompassing both the teaching of profound sciences and the refinement of character. It’s a comprehensive form of wisdom that enables a person to discern truth for its own sake and to act upon goodness. This signifies a deep, practical understanding beyond mere factual knowledge.
Finally, the verse mentions "وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ" (and the Torah, and the Gospel). The Torah was the scripture revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses), and the Gospel was the scripture revealed to Isa himself. Al-Razi points out the significance of this specific order. Learning the craft of writing (al-Kitāb) comes first, followed by general wisdom (al-Hikmah), which prepares the mind and character. Only then does the verse mention the Torah, implying that a certain intellectual and spiritual maturity is necessary to grasp the profound secrets of prior divine books. The Gospel, being Isa's own revelation, is mentioned last as the culmination, the highest rank of knowledge and understanding bestowed upon him after this thorough preparation.
This precise enumeration and order of Isa's education through the words of Allah reveal a comprehensive preparation for his prophetic role, highlighting the value of literacy, broad wisdom, and the study of divine scriptures, both past and present.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ali 'Imran 3:48 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ali 'Imran 3:48 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.