وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَـٰهَا بِأَيْي۟دٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ 47
Translations
And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
Transliteration
Wa-as-samaa'a banaynāhā bi-ayyidin wa-innā la-mūsi'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that Allah built the sky (heavens) with power and might, and that He is continuously expanding it. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'bi-ayyid' (with mighty hands/power) as a metaphor for Allah's omnipotence and creative ability, while 'wa-innā la-mūsi'ūn' (and indeed, We are the expanders) refers to the cosmic expansion of the universe—a miraculous statement that aligns with modern scientific discoveries about an expanding universe. This ayah emphasizes both Allah's creative power and the vastness and dynamism of His creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Adh-Dhariyat is a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's oneness and power through cosmic signs (āyāt). This particular ayah appears within a section addressing those who deny resurrection and Allah's ability to recreate creation, using the wonders of the heavens as evidence of His infinite power and knowledge.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest ayah in the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi' (Sunan Ibn Majah), which similarly emphasizes Allah's vast knowledge and power over creation. Additionally, hadiths about the seven heavens and their vastness (found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) complement this ayah's theme of celestial grandeur.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the expansion and complexity of the universe are signs of Allah's infinite power and knowledge, inviting us to reflect on creation as evidence of His existence and majesty. It encourages scientific inquiry and wonder, showing that understanding the universe's mysteries deepens faith rather than diminishing it.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى جَعَلَهُۥ دَكَّآءَ ۖ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى حَقًّا
[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches], He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْجِبَالِ فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّى نَسْفًا
And they ask you about the mountains, so say, "My Lord will blow them away with a blast.