وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ 66
Translations
And He is the one who gave you life; then He causes you to die and then will [again] give you life. Indeed, mankind is ungrateful.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhī ahyākum thumma yumītukum thumma yuhyīkum. Inna al-insāna la-kafūr.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute power over life and death, stating that He gives life, then causes death, and will resurrect humanity on the Day of Judgment. The verse concludes by highlighting humanity's ingratitude (kufr) despite these clear signs of divine power and mercy. Ibn Kathir notes this ayah refutes those who deny resurrection by pointing to the observable cycle of life and death in creation, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that human ingratitude persists even when confronted with such undeniable proofs of Allah's dominion.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Al-Hajj, which addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs including tawhid, resurrection, and the hajj pilgrimage. The verse is part of a broader section (22:58-66) that emphasizes monotheism and Allah's sovereignty. It contextually responds to those who deny the resurrection and divine power, common objections addressed throughout the Meccan and Medinan periods.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of supplications is that on the day of Arafat, and the best thing that I and the prophets before me have said is: There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quranic theme of resurrection is reinforced in numerous ahadith about the Day of Judgment, such as those found in Sahih Bukhari regarding the signs of the Hour.
Themes
Key Lesson
This verse invites profound reflection on Allah's complete control over existence and our inevitable return to Him, serving as a reminder that ingratitude despite clear divine signs distances us from our Creator. Modern readers should recognize that acknowledging Allah's power over life and death cultivates humility, gratitude, and proper perspective on worldly attachments.
Related Ayahs
ءَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنشِـُٔونَ
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَـٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Say, "Then have you considered what you invoke besides Allāh? If Allāh intended me harm, are they removers of His harm; or if He intended me mercy, are they withholders of His mercy?" Say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; upon Him [alone] rely the [wise] reliers."
وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخْتَارُ ۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allāh and high above what they associate with Him.
قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحُجَّةُ ٱلْبَـٰلِغَةُ ۖ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Say, "With Allāh is the far-reaching [i.e., conclusive] argument. If He had willed, He would have guided you all."