Who is the messenger in Sura 62?

Sources

• ✓ 62:2 · Al-Jumu'a

  62:2 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّۦنَ رَسُولًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

  He it is Who hath sent among the unlettered ones a messenger of their own, to recite unto them His revelations and to make them grow, and to teach them the Scripture and wisdom, though heretofore they were indeed in error manifest,

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 62:2

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 62:2

  This verse reveals that all creatures in the heavens and the earth, both living and inanimate, glorify and praise Allah, as confirmed by the Qur'an: "And there is not a thing but that it glorifies His praise" (17:44). The attributes mentioned—King, Holy One, Almighty, and Wise—describe Allah’s dominion and perfection. He is the Sovereign of the heavens and earth, controlling all affairs by His will, free from any imperfection, and possessing all qualities of might and wisdom. Allah then states that He sent a messenger from among the "ummiyeen," commonly understood as the Arabs. This designation does not exclude others; rather, the favor and distinction of sending the Prophet among them is emphasized. Numerous verses confirm the Prophet Muhammad’s mission to all humanity regardless of ethnicity, such as "Say, O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all" (7:158) and "to warn you thereby and whomever it reaches" (6:19). This verse affirms the response to the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim, who prayed for a messenger from among the people of Makkah to recite Allah’s signs, purify them, and teach them the Book and wisdom. Before the Prophet’s arrival, the Arabs upheld the religion of Ibrahim but had distorted it—replacing monotheism with polytheism and certainty with doubt. Similarly, the previous scriptures of the People of the Book had been altered. At a time of spiritual decline and the disappearance of prophets, Allah, in His bounty and wisdom, sent Muhammad with a complete and comprehensive law encompassing guidance for all people and matters of life and hereafter. He combined all virtues of earlier messengers and granted Muhammad what was not given before or after him. The phrase "and others from them who have not yet joined them" was explained by the Prophet himself when questioned by his companions upon revelation of this verse. Pointing to Salman al-Farsi—a Persian companion—he affirmed that whoever holds true faith among non-Arabs too is included. This indicates the universal nature of the Prophet’s mission beyond the Arabs. Scholars like Mujahid concur that the "others" refers to non-Arabs or all who believe in the Prophet regardless of their origin. A hadith further supports this matter, asserting that some descendants from the Prophet’s own people will enter Paradise without reckoning, encompassing various faithful followers. The Allah described as "Al-‘Aziz Al-Hakim" is One possessing honor, might, and wisdom in His law and decree. The concluding statement about Allah’s grace means that the great favor of prophethood bestowed upon Muhammad and the sending of the message to his nation is a generous grace from Allah, who holds immense bounty. In sum, this ayah confirms the comprehensive glorification of Allah by all creation, highlights the chosen messenger from among an initially unlettered people, the universal scope of his message and mission, the restoration and perfection of religion through him, and the divine grace that supports this mission.