وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ 33
Translations
And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhi khalaqa al-layla wa al-nahara wa al-shamsa wa al-qamara; kullun fi falakun yasbahun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's creative power over the celestial bodies and the cycle of day and night, establishing His complete dominion over the cosmos. The phrase 'kullun fi falakun yasbahun' (each swimming in an orbit) describes the orbits of the sun and moon in their prescribed paths, which classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpreted as evidence of Allah's perfect design and order. This ayah presents scientific accuracy consistent with astronomical knowledge, demonstrating that the Quran directs attention to observable natural phenomena as signs of divine wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Anbiya, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes tawhid (monotheism) and Allah's unique attributes. The surah's broader context focuses on refuting polytheism and presenting proofs of Allah's oneness through creation. The ayah comes within a series of verses establishing Allah as the sole Creator of all celestial and terrestrial phenomena.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of anyone. They are among the signs of Allah. When you see them, stand up and pray.' (Sahih Bukhari 1043). Additionally, Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet explained the movement of celestial bodies as evidence of Allah's power (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to observe the regular, precise movements of celestial bodies as profound signs of Allah's existence and wisdom, encouraging reflection on creation as a pathway to strengthening faith. For modern readers, it emphasizes that scientific understanding of the cosmos should deepen our appreciation of the Creator rather than diminish it.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۚ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.
بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِٱلْحَقِّ عَلَى ٱلْبَـٰطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهُۥ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ ۚ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ
Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.
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.
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّـٰعِبِينَ
They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"