وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَـَٔاتِيَةٌ ۖ فَٱصْفَحِ ٱلصَّفْحَ ٱلْجَمِيلَ 85
Translations
And We have not created the heavens and earth and that between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming; so forgive with gracious forgiveness.
Transliteration
Wa mā khalaqnā as-samāwāti wa-al-arda wa mā baynahumā illā bi-al-haqq. Wa inna as-sāʿata la-ātiyah. Fa-asfih as-safh al-jamīl.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah declares that He created the heavens, earth, and everything between them with purpose and truth (not in vain), emphasizing the purposefulness of creation and the reality of Divine wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this establishes that the universe is not created arbitrarily but with profound purpose, and the mention of the approaching Day of Judgment (as-Sāʿah) serves as a reminder that all creation will return to its Creator for accountability. The closing instruction to 'turn away with beautiful patience' (asfih as-safh al-jamīl) is directed at the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to respond gracefully to the disbelievers' rejection despite the clarity of these signs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan chapter addressing the doubts and objections of polytheists regarding the Quran's authenticity and the reality of resurrection. The surah uses the creation of the heavens and earth as evidence for Allah's power and the inevitability of the Day of Judgment, directly refuting Meccan skeptics who denied these truths.
Related Hadiths
The concept of creation with purpose (al-haqq) is reinforced in Surah 3:191 and the hadith: 'Allah's Messenger said, Allah created the creation in darkness, then He touched the Throne with His light' (Sahih Muslim 2653). Additionally, regarding beautiful patience in face of rejection, the Prophet exemplified this in his response to the Quraysh as mentioned in numerous hadith collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that the creation of the universe is not random or meaningless, but reflects Allah's infinite wisdom and purpose—a truth that should inspire awe and certainty in our hearts. For believers facing rejection or ridicule for their faith, it teaches the virtue of beautiful patience and noble character, knowing that ultimate accountability belongs only to Allah on the Day of Judgment.