لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْوًا لَّٱتَّخَذْنَـٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ إِن كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ 17
Translations
Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.
Transliteration
Law aradna an nattakhidha lahwan lattakhdhahu min ladunna in kunna fa'ilin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the notion that Allah created the universe as mere play or amusement, affirming that if He intended to take entertainment, He would have chosen it from His own dominion rather than creating this world. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this demonstrates the supreme wisdom and serious purpose behind creation—everything is created with divine purpose and divine knowledge, not frivolously. The ayah establishes that Allah's actions are always rooted in wisdom ('hikma) and justice, not whim or amusement.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya (Chapter 21), a Meccan surah that predominantly discusses monotheism, the oneness of Allah, and refutes polytheistic arguments. The broader context of verses 16-17 addresses the disbelievers' claims about creation being meaningless play, and Allah responds by clarifying the serious and purposeful nature of creation and the accountability of the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the concept relates to numerous ahadith on divine wisdom. See Sahih Muslim's collection on the creation of the heavens and earth with truth (bil-haqq), and Al-Tirmidhi's reports on Allah's perfect knowledge and planning in creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that life and creation are not arbitrary or purposeless, but part of a divine plan with profound wisdom. Understanding this encourages us to live purposefully, seeking Allah's pleasure and preparing for accountability, rather than treating life as mere entertainment or amusement.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَمَن يَقُلْ مِنْهُمْ إِنِّىٓ إِلَـٰهٌ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him" - that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَـٰسِبِينَ
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ
He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.
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.