إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ 13
Translations
Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats.
Transliteration
Innahu huwa yubdi'u wa yu'eed
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone possesses the power to create (initiate) and to resurrect (repeat/restore), emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and divine authority over all creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a reference to Allah's ability to bring forth creation from non-existence and then resurrect it on the Day of Judgment, demonstrating His complete control over life, death, and the eternal cycle of existence. This statement serves as a powerful rebuttal to the polytheists who denied resurrection and attributed creative powers to their false deities.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah revealed during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet (peace be upon him). This ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah and emphasizes divine attributes as a response to the Meccan disbelievers' denial of resurrection and Allah's oneness, reinforcing the fundamental Islamic doctrine of Tawheed (monotheism).
Related Hadiths
The concept is reinforced in a hadith from Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, though He has created you.' Additionally, Surah Ar-Rum 30:27 contains thematically related material: 'It is He who originates creation and will repeat it.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize Allah's absolute power over all affairs and to trust in His wisdom regarding life and death, providing comfort in facing trials and certainty in the promise of resurrection. It also serves as a reminder to reject any belief system that attributes creative or sustaining power to anyone besides Allah.