Transliteration:( Laqad mannal laahu 'alal mu'mineena iz ba'asa feehim Rasoolam min anfusihim yatloo 'alaihim Aayaatihee wa yuzakkeehim wa yu'allimu humul Kitaaba wal Hikmata wa in kaanoo min qablu lafee dalaalim mubeen )
 370. From this verse, we learn that the Holy Prophet's ? coming into this world is the greatest favor of Allah Almighty from all His bounties, because the word MANNA is not used anywhere else in the QURAAN in respect of His other bounties. The reason for this is all other bounties are temporary while Imaan is permanent which we have received through the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet ? is the bounty among all ? : bounties. When our hands, feet, etc. will complain to Allah Almighty for their misuse, then the Holy Prophet will intercede on our behalf to Allah Almighty. Hence the Holy Prophet is the absolute bounty of Allah Almighty.
371. The word 'Messenger' in this verse indicates that the Holy Prophet's  prophethood is universal, and not restricted to time, place, people, as the word or Messenger is used here in a general sense without any restrictions. In some recitation, the letter 'Fa' of ANFUSIHIM takes a fatha on this letter to mean that the Holy Prophet's (Peace be upon him) creation is from the best family for he is a Quraishi, Hashimi, Mutallabi which geneologically is the highest and most superior family lineage. The Holy Prophet ,is an Arab and geneologically ? most superior to all.
372. The word 'purity' indicates that purity can only be achieved through pious deeds. Purity can be achieved through the gracious attention and closeness to the Holy Prophet ?. Good deeds are seeds, the blessed attention of the Holy Prophet ? serves as the merciful water. Without water, the seeds will die, just as Shaitaan's entire worship became null and void because it was devoid of the Holy Prophet's ? graceful attention. Hence, no one can become pious or saintly by remaining aloof from the Holy Prophet ?Â
373. From this, emerge two issues:
1. To understand the QURAN you need and the Hadith because the Holy QURAN is the word of Allah Almighty, the Hadith provides the wisdom to understand it. Hence, both are separate entities, complementing one another.
2. One cannot understand the Holy the QURAN according to ones own thinking and personal knowledge, as its knowledge is too complex. Hence, Allah Almighty sent the Holy Prophet ? for this purpose. Only a Superior teacher and instructor can teach the superior Book, while Allah Himself taught the QURAN to His Messenger, as the QURAN states: "The Most Affectionate, taught the QUR AAN to his Beloved" (S55:V 1-2)
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The tafsir of Surah Imran verse 164 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Imran ayat 159 which provides the complete commentary from verse 159 through 164.
(3:164) Surely Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He raised from among them a Messenger to recite to them His signs, and to purify them, and to teach them the Book and Wisdom. For before that they were in manifest error.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[149]- The Prophet's sunnah.
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