'Abasa · Ayah 19

مِن نُّطْفَةٍ خَلَقَهُۥ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ 19

Translations

From a sperm-drop He created him and destined for him;

Transliteration

Min nutfatin khalaqahu faqaddarahu

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah refers to Allah's creation of human beings from a small drop of fluid (nutfah) and His precise determination of their form and characteristics. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this demonstrates Allah's perfect power and wisdom in fashioning human life from the most humble and insignificant beginning, establishing complete divine control over human creation and development. The word 'qaddara' (determined/proportioned) indicates that Allah has meticulously designed every aspect of human form and capability according to His infinite knowledge and purpose.

Revelation Context

This ayah appears within Surah 'Abasa, a Meccan chapter that rebukes the Prophet ﷺ for turning away from a blind companion (Ibn Umm Maktum) while engaging with Meccan leaders. The broader context emphasizes human insignificance before Allah and serves as a reminder of Allah's absolute power over creation, contrasting human weakness with divine majesty.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Each of you is created in the womb of his mother for forty days as a nutfah (drop), then as an alaqah (clot), then as a mudghah (lump of flesh)...' (Sahih Bukhari 3208). Also relevant: 'The most perfect of believers in faith are those who have the best character' (Tirmidhi), relating to how Allah has determined human disposition.

Themes

Divine creation and powerHuman origin and insignificanceDivine determination and qadr (destiny)Humility before the CreatorStages of human development

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches us profound humility by reminding us that we originate from the most humble beginning—a mere drop—yet Allah has fashioned us with perfect wisdom and proportion. It should inspire gratitude for Allah's meticulous care in our creation and encourage us to recognize our ultimate dependence on Him.

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Related Ayahs

71:14Nuh

وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا

While He has created you in stages?

26:184Ash-Shu'ara

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلْجِبِلَّةَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

And fear He who created you and the former creation."

56:35Al-Waqi'ah

إِنَّآ أَنشَأْنَـٰهُنَّ إِنشَآءً

Indeed, We have produced them [i.e., the women of Paradise] in a [new] creation

22:5Al-Hajj

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّنَ ٱلْبَعْثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضْغَةٍ مُّخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ ۚ وَنُقِرُّ فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ نُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوٓا۟ أَشُدَّكُمْ ۖ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرْذَلِ ٱلْعُمُرِ لِكَيْلَا يَعْلَمَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا ۚ وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ هَامِدَةً فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنۢبَتَتْ مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۭ بَهِيجٍ

O people, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind.