ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 22
Translations
[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allāh equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him].
Transliteration
Alladhee ja'ala lakumu al-arda firaashan wa as-sama'a binaa'an wa anzala mina as-sama'i maa'an fa akharja bihi mina ath-thamarāti rizqan lakum fa lā taj'alū lillaahi andādan wa antum ta'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's creative power and provision, presenting compelling evidence against polytheism by highlighting how He alone has made the earth a bed for us, the sky a ceiling, sent down rain, and produced fruits as sustenance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these tangible blessings are rational proofs (dalā'il 'aqliyyah) of Allah's oneness, making it illogical and blameworthy to associate partners with Him when we consciously recognize His exclusive role as Creator and Provider. The ayah appeals to human reason and awareness, condemning shirk as an act committed despite knowledge of these signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah (ayah 21-22), which directly addresses those who deny belief in Allah. The context is part of the Qur'an's initial appeal to the Meccan polytheists and disbelievers, presenting rational arguments for monotheism before addressing specific legal and ethical matters. This Medinan surah uses these verses to establish the foundational doctrine of tawhīd (divine unity) as the basis for all Islamic teaching.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best supplication is that which calls upon Allah to give thanks for His blessings' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized recognizing Allah's signs in creation as a means of strengthening faith and gratitude.
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing Allah's countless blessings in our daily lives—from the earth beneath us to the rain that sustains crops—should naturally inspire us to reject polytheism and devote ourselves exclusively to Him. This ayah reminds us that acknowledging divine unity is not merely a matter of blind faith but a rational response to the observable realities of creation, making ingratitude and shirk intellectually indefensible.