Ya-Sin 36:69
Ya Sin · Meccan · Juz 23 · Page 444
Not Poetry
وَمَا عَلَّمۡنَٰهُ ٱلشِّعۡرَ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِي لَهُۥٓۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرࣱ وَقُرۡءَانࣱ مُّبِينࣱ ٦٩
And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is naught else than a Reminder and a Lecture making plain.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
We did not teach him poetry, nor is it fitting for him. It is only a reminder and a clear Qur’an.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, the Qur’an is poetry neither in words nor in meaning: it has no metre and no rhyme. Poetry seeks to stir feelings regardless of truth; the Qur’an is advice that tells the truth.
Reflect
Today, read a verse asking: “What is it advising me?”
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›