قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ بَدَأَ ٱلْخَلْقَ ۚ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ يُنشِئُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 20
Translations
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allāh will produce the final creation [i.e., development]. Indeed Allāh, over all things, is competent."
Transliteration
Qul sīrū fī al-arḍi fa-nẓurū kayfa badā al-khalqu thumma Allāhu yunshi'u al-nash'ata al-ākhirah. Inna Allāha ʿalā kulli shay'in qadīr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
The ayah commands the Prophet (ﷺ) to invite people to travel throughout the earth and observe how Allah initiated creation, which serves as evidence for His power over resurrection and the afterlife. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that observing the creation's beginning (how plants grow from seeds, how animals are born, geological formations) demonstrates Allah's complete power to bring about the final creation. The verse concludes by affirming that Allah is capable of all things, directly linking the observable creative process to His ability to resurrect the dead on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider), a Meccan surah that addresses various theological proofs against polytheism and denial of the Hereafter. The surah's context involves refuting disbelievers' doubts about resurrection and the afterlife. This particular verse serves as a rational argument for the disbelievers of Mecca, inviting them to use their intellect and observation to understand divine wisdom.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever travels seeking knowledge, Allah eases for them the path to Paradise' (Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī). Additionally, the concept of observing creation as a path to faith relates to the hadith: 'The best worship is to know Allah' - emphasizing contemplation (tafakkur) as an act of devotion.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah encourages believers to actively observe and reflect upon the natural world as a means of deepening faith and understanding Allah's power, rather than remaining passive in belief. For modern readers, it emphasizes that intellectual inquiry and scientific observation of creation are not contrary to faith, but rather pathways to recognizing and appreciating the Creator's wisdom and capability.