وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 30
Translations
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?" He [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."
Transliteration
Wa-idh qāla rabbuka lil-malā'ikati innī jā'ilun fil-ardi khalīfah. Qālū a-taj'alu fīhā man yufsidu fīhā wa-yasfiku d-dimā'a wa-naḥnu nusabbīḥu biḥamdika wa-nuqaddisu lak. Qāla innī a'lamu mā lā ta'lamūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the creation of humanity (Adam) as Allah's khalifah (vicegerent/trustee) on earth. The angels questioned the wisdom of this decision, fearing humans would cause corruption and bloodshed, yet Allah responded that He possesses knowledge they lack—referring to humanity's potential for righteousness, knowledge, and spiritual elevation. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that despite human imperfections, Allah chose humanity because of their unique capacity for reason, moral choice, and spiritual growth, which surpasses the angels' limited understanding.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah (the first Medinan surah) and establishes fundamental Islamic doctrine about human dignity and purpose. It introduces the story of Adam's creation and is thematically connected to the discussion of guidance and human responsibility that follows throughout the surah. The context follows immediately after the opening verses about the Quran being guidance for the righteous.
Related Hadiths
1) Sahih Bukhari: Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, 'When Allah created Adam, He made him 60 cubits tall...' (establishing human nobility in creation). 2) Sahih Muslim: The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Verily, Allah created Adam in the image of the Most Merciful,' which relates to humanity's special status and capacity for divine attributes.
Themes
Key Lesson
Despite our flaws and capacity for wrongdoing, Allah has honored humanity with intellect, choice, and the ability to know Him—responsibilities that even the angels do not possess. This should inspire us to live up to our noble purpose as trustees on earth by seeking knowledge, practicing justice, and striving toward righteousness.
Related Ayahs
۞ وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ كَاتِبًا فَرِهَـٰنٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ ۖ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ ٱلَّذِى ٱؤْتُمِنَ أَمَـٰنَتَهُۥ وَلْيَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ ۗ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ ۚ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُۥٓ ءَاثِمٌ قَلْبُهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit [should be] taken. And if one of you entrusts another, then let him who is entrusted discharge his trust [faithfully] and let him fear Allāh, his Lord. And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful, and Allāh is Knowing of what you do.
وَإِذْ وَٰعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰٓ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذْتُمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him [i.e., his departure], while you were wrongdoers.
وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمُ ٱلْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ ٱلْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.
لِّلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِن تُبْدُوا۟ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوْ تُخْفُوهُ يُحَاسِبْكُم بِهِ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
To Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allāh will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allāh is over all things competent.