Al-A'raf · Ayah 189

۞ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا ۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّىٰهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِۦ ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ ءَاتَيْتَنَا صَـٰلِحًا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ 189

Translations

It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he [i.e., man] covers her, she carries a light burden [i.e., a pregnancy] and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allāh, their Lord, "If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful."

Transliteration

Huwa alladhi khalaqakum min nafsin wahidatin wa ja'ala minha zawjaha liyaskuna ilayha, fa-lamma taghashshaha hamalatat hamlan khafifan famarrat bihi, fa-lamma athqalat da'aw Allaha rabbahuma la-in ataytana salihan lanakunnanna mina al-shaki-reen.

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah describes the creation of humanity from a single soul (Adam) from which Allah created his spouse (Eve) so that he might find tranquility and companionship with her. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that when she became pregnant, she initially carried it lightly and went about easily, but as the pregnancy became burdensome, both parents invoked Allah, promising gratitude if He granted them a righteous child. This demonstrates the natural human tendency to seek divine mercy in times of difficulty and the importance of gratitude.

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'raf, a Meccan chapter that discusses creation, divine signs, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. The passage contextualizes human creation and the institution of marriage as a means of finding peace and stability, while illustrating how trials bring people closer to their Lord in supplication and dependence upon Him.

Related Hadiths

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet said: 'The most perfect in faith are those best in character, and the best of you are those who are kindest to their wives' (Tirmidhi).

Themes

Creation and divine wisdomMarriage and companionshipSupplication (dua) in times of hardshipGratitude to AllahHuman reproduction and maternal experienceThe sanctity of family

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches that marriage is divinely ordained for mutual tranquility and support, and that acknowledging our dependence on Allah during life's challenges strengthens our faith and gratitude. It reminds us to invoke Allah with sincerity during difficulties and to honor the sacred bond of marriage as a source of spiritual and emotional peace.

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Related Ayahs

7:107Al-A'raf

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

So he [i.e., Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest.

7:47Al-A'raf

۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people."

7:142Al-A'raf

۞ وَوَٰعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَـٰثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَـٰهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَـٰتُ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَـٰرُونَ ٱخْلُفْنِى فِى قَوْمِى وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters."

7:131Al-A'raf

فَإِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا۟ لَنَا هَـٰذِهِۦ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا۟ بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّمَا طَـٰٓئِرُهُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

But when good [i.e., provision] came to them, they said, "This is ours [by right]." And if a bad [condition] struck them, they saw an evil omen in Moses and those with him. Unquestionably, their fortune is with Allāh, but most of them do not know.