Surah Ya-Sin 36:5
سُورَةُ يسٓ · Meccan · Verse 5 of 83
تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Translation
with a revelation from the Almighty, the Lord of Mercy,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful.' al-Biqa'i draws out the pairing: 'the Mighty' (al-Aziz) speaks of overwhelming power and dominance, but power alone would not be perfection, so it is joined at once to 'the Merciful' (ar-Rahim). The Book descends from One strong enough to compel, who instead chose to guide. al-Saadi notes His might guards the revelation from corruption, and His mercy carries His servants by it all the way to the home of mercy. Ask yourself: I often imagine God as either powerful or kind, and brace for the powerful one. This verse fuses them, the very Might that could crush me is the Mercy that sent me guidance. Which of those two do I let shape how I approach Him?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Biqa'i, al-Saadi, Ibn Kathir.
Wording
The Divine Source
This verse, "تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ" (Tanzīla al-ʿAzīzi al-Raḥīm), tells us the origin of the Quran. Following an oath by the Wise Quran and an affirmation of Prophet Muhammad's prophethood, Allah describes the Quran itself: it is a revelation from Him. He is the one speaking, directly revealing this profound truth to us.
Why "Tanzīl"?
The word "تَنزِيلَ" (Tanzīl) is a verbal noun, which in this context means "that which is sent down." Its use here, as Ibn Ashur explains, isn't just to say "it was sent down," but to emphasize with great force and hyperbole that this is indeed a divinely revealed scripture. It's not a human composition, but definitively from Allah.
Interestingly, scholars note different ways this word can be read grammatically, each adding a layer of emphasis. Some readings imply, "This is the sending down..." or "I mean the sending down..." or even "He sent down a sending down..." As al-Razi details, these variations, while appearing technical, all serve to underscore the Quran's unparalleled significance and its direct descent from the Divine, making it impossible to overlook its importance.
The All-Mighty, The All-Merciful
The Quran is not just any message; it comes from "ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ" (al-ʿAzīzi al-Raḥīm), the All-Mighty, the All-Merciful. These two Divine Names, placed together, paint a complete picture of the Revealer and His message.
Allah is Al-ʿAzīz, the All-Mighty, meaning He possesses absolute power and honor. Ibn Ashur reflects that this aspect is evident in the Quran's capacity to guide people firmly towards truth and warn sternly against disobedience and disbelief. It's a message that cannot be ignored or resisted without consequence. As al-Razi notes, this speaks to Allah's ability to exact retribution from those who defy His messenger and His revelation.
At the same time, Allah is Al-Raḥīm, the All-Merciful, whose mercy encompasses all things. This mercy shines through in the Quran by clearly setting out proofs, making distant truths accessible, revealing realities, and bringing glad tidings to those who strive for Allah's pleasure, as Ibn Ashur explains. Al-Razi adds that this signifies Allah's compassion for those who fear Him and honor His message.
Together, these names show a perfect balance: the Quran is a majestic, unchallengeable truth, yet it is also an act of profound compassion, offering clear guidance and hope. It is a revelation from a Lord who is both powerful enough to enforce His will and merciful enough to show us the path to salvation.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Qur'anic Worlds
When we reflect on Surah Ya Sin, verse 5, "تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ" (a revelation from the All-Mighty, the Ever-Merciful), we are invited to ponder the very source and nature of the message itself. This ayah acts like an anchor, grounding the entire Surah in its divine origin.
The Source of the Message
Here, Allah Himself is speaking, confirming that the Quran is His direct revelation. It is addressed primarily to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but through him, to all of humanity. The verse immediately follows an affirmation of the Prophet's messengership, making it clear that what he delivers is not his own words, but a profound communication from above.
The Names of Allah
The verse describes the Revealer using two of Allah's beautiful names: *Al-Aziz* (The All-Mighty, The Dominant) and *Al-Rahim* (The Ever-Merciful). As Sayyid Qutb explains, Allah introduces Himself this way so we understand the true reality of His speech. *Al-Aziz* signifies His absolute power and authority; He can do whatever He wills. This implies that His commands are not to be taken lightly, and that He is fully capable of enforcing them or taking retribution from those who defy His messengers, as noted by al-Razi. Conversely, *Al-Rahim* speaks to His boundless compassion and mercy towards His creation, particularly His believing servants. This means that within His commands, there is always a thread of mercy, guidance, and benefit for us.
A World in Need of Warning
Placing this ayah within the "World of Revelation" helps us understand its immediate context. The Quran was revealed to a people, specifically the Makkans, who had long been without a prophet. As Sayyid Qutb highlights, they were descendants of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), yet centuries had passed without a direct Warner, causing them to fall into deep *ghaflah* (heedlessness). The purpose of this revelation, therefore, was to shake them out of this spiritual slumber and remind them of ultimate realities.
This connects to the "Worlds of Past Nations" lens, showing that divine messages often come when generations have strayed from the teachings of earlier prophets. The revelation of the Quran, especially Surah Ya Sin, which Imam al-Ghazzali noted for its detailed and eloquent presentation of the Day of Judgment and Resurrection, served as a crucial warning and a means to reconnect people to their spiritual heritage and accountability. It underscores that this powerful, yet merciful, message was precisely what that world, caught in heedlessness, desperately needed to hear.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ya-Sin 36:5 is discussed in one study guide on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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