وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ 16
Translations
And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.
Transliteration
Wa mā khalaqnā as-samāa wa-al-arda wa mā baynahumā li-ʿābīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah created the heavens, the earth, and everything between them with purpose and wisdom, not in jest or play. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refutes the notion that creation is futile or meaningless, establishing that the entire cosmos exists according to divine purpose and order. Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as evidence for Allah's majesty and the necessity of fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya (a Meccan chapter) and is part of a broader section addressing the disbelievers' denial of resurrection and the Day of Judgment. The context emphasizes that just as Allah created the universe with purpose, so too will He resurrect humanity with purpose and hold them accountable.
Related Hadiths
Related to this theme is the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Indeed, the most beloved of you to me and the nearest of you to me in the Day of Judgment are those who are best in character.' This reflects the purposefulness of creation and human responsibility. Also relevant is the hadith: 'Everything has a purpose (qadr), even laziness and inactivity have their measure.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that life is not meaningless or arbitrary; rather, we are created with divine purpose and will be held accountable for our deeds. Understanding this encourages purposeful living aligned with Islamic values and preparation for the Day of Judgment.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۗ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً ۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَـٰلِحِينَ
And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.