Those who were given the knowledge
ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ
alladhīna ūtū al-ʿilm — those who were given the knowledge
A fixed relative clause — a passive verb of giving applied to al-ʿilm — recurs with a changing predicate in each verse, marking a group whose knowledge is received rather than acquired and whose actions distinguish them from those around them.
The expression is grammatically constant across the nine verses given: a plural relative pronoun (ٱلَّذِينَ) followed by ūtū, a perfect passive of form IV from the root ا ت ي, third masculine plural with an attached pronoun, governing al-ʿilm in the accusative. The passive leaves unnamed whoever gives the knowledge; the verses do not say. What changes is the predicate attached to the group. In (16:27), (28:80) and (30:56) they speak: declaring disgrace upon the deniers, saying 'Woe to you!', and stating the timing of the Rising. In (17:107) they collapse and prostrate when the recitation reaches them; in (22:54) they know, trust, and their hearts become lowly; in (34:6) they see what was sent down as the truth. In (29:49) the clear signs are located 'within the chests' of this group, set against wrongdoers who reject the signs. In (47:16) others ask them what was just said, while (58:11) states that Allah will elevate them 'in degrees' alongside those who believed. Read together, the formula functions as a slot: each verse fills it with a different act — speech, prostration, knowing, seeing, holding the signs, being consulted, being elevated — and in several verses the group is set by contrast against a named opposite (deniers in 16:27, wrongdoers in 29:49, those whose hearts were imprinted in 47:16).
Where it occurs
- 16:27 The group speaks on the Day of Standing, declaring that disgrace and evil are upon the deniers.
- 17:107 Those given the knowledge before it collapse upon the chins, prostrating, when it is recited to them.
- 22:54 The group is to know that it is the truth from your Lord, then trust, and their hearts become lowly and yielding.
- 28:80 The group says 'Woe to you!' and that Allah's requital is better for whoever believed and did what is sound.
- 29:49 The clear signs are said to be within the chests of this group, contrasted with wrongdoers who reject the signs.
- 30:56 Those given the knowledge and the faith will say that people remained until the Day of the Rising in Allah's decree.
- 34:6 The group sees that what was sent down from the Lord is the truth and guides to a path.
- 47:16 Others who listened ask this group what was just said; the askers' hearts are said to have been imprinted.
- 58:11 Allah will elevate those who believed and those given the knowledge in degrees.
All Qur'anic expressions