ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ 61
Translations
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
Transliteration
Dhālika bi-anna Allāha yūliju al-layla fī al-nahāri wa yūliju al-nahāra fī al-layli wa anna Allāha samīʿun baṣīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains that Allah causes the night to enter into the day and the day to enter into the night, describing the gradual transition and overlap between darkness and light. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a sign of Allah's perfect divine wisdom and control over the cosmos—the continuous cycle of day and night represents the balance and order He has established in creation. The ayah concludes by affirming that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, emphasizing that nothing escapes His knowledge, which is foundational to understanding divine justice and accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj (a Medinan chapter revealed during the Prophet's time in Madinah), within a broader context discussing signs of Allah's power and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. It follows discussions about those who dispute concerning Allah and emphasizes natural phenomena as proofs of His existence and sovereignty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is sincere in seeking knowledge of Allah's signs will recognize Him in creation.' (Related to the theme of observing natural signs). Also relevant: Sahih Bukhari 3191 where the Prophet described the creation and ordering of day and night as evidence of Allah's perfect design.
Themes
Key Lesson
The continuous cycle of day and night serves as a reminder that Allah maintains perfect order in the universe and is intimately aware of all creation—believers should reflect on these natural signs to strengthen their faith and recognize that their own deeds are constantly witnessed by the All-Knowing God.
Related Ayahs
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ
Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
It is Allāh who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice
كَلَّآ إِذَا دُكَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ دَكًّا دَكًّا
No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed