مَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ عَمَّآ أُنذِرُوا۟ مُعْرِضُونَ 3
Translations
We did not create the heavens and earth and what is between them except in truth and [for] a specified term. But those who disbelieve, from that of which they are warned, are turning away.
Transliteration
Mā khalaqnā as-samāwāti wa-al-arda wa-mā baynahumā illā bi-al-haqqi wa-ajalin musammā, wa-alladhīna kafarū ammā undhirū muʿridūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah created the heavens, the earth, and all that is between them with truth (haq) and for a specific appointed term, emphasizing that creation is not in vain but serves divine purpose and order. Ibn Kathir explains that 'al-haqq' (truth/righteousness) means creation was based on wisdom and justice, while 'ajal musammā' (appointed term) refers to the predetermined Day of Judgment. The ayah then condemns the disbelievers (kafirū) for turning away from the warnings brought by the Prophet, refusing to contemplate the signs of creation that testify to Allah's existence and power.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Ahqaf (Meccan surah), which addresses the rejection of the Quran's message by the Meccan disbelievers. It follows a pattern in Meccan revelation that emphasizes creation as evidence of Allah's oneness and the reality of the Afterlife, against the backdrop of Quraysh's denial of resurrection and the Prophet's warnings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever reflects upon the creation of Allah will find that in each creation there is wisdom' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Also relevant is the hadith: 'The strongest of you in faith are those who are most cautious of Allah and most thoughtful of His signs' (Sunan Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that the universe is not a random occurrence but a creation filled with divine wisdom and purpose, inviting reflection rather than heedlessness. For believers, it serves as a call to avoid the attitude of those who turn away from clear signs, and instead to recognize Allah's majesty through contemplation of creation and responsiveness to His warnings.