نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَـٰهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَـٰلَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا 28
Translations
We have created them and strengthened their forms, and when We will, We can change their likenesses with [complete] alteration.
Transliteration
Nahnu khalaqnahum wa shadadna asrahum wa idha shi'na baddalna amthālahum tabdīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah states that He created mankind and strengthened their physical forms and bodies (asrahum refers to their joints, limbs, or overall constitution), and He possesses the power to replace them with other creations entirely if He wills. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute power over creation and serves as a reminder of human dependence on the Divine. The ayah underscores that human existence and continuity are entirely contingent upon Allah's will, not upon human effort or permanence.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Insan is a Medinan chapter that discusses the creation of mankind and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. This particular ayah appears in a section (76:28-31) that emphasizes Allah's complete sovereignty over human existence, creation, and divine guidance. The context serves to remind believers that their very existence and survival depend entirely on Allah's decree.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The example of my life and the life of the prophets before me is like a man who built a house and perfected it except for one brick.' This relates to the theme of Allah's perfect creation. Additionally, the hadith about Allah's creation being firm and established (in Sahih Bukhari) complements the concept of 'strengthening' mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize their absolute dependence on Allah and to never become arrogant about their physical abilities or lifespans, as Allah can replace any creation with another at any moment. For modern readers, it encourages humility and trust in Divine providence while discouraging reliance on worldly means without acknowledging Allah's ultimate authority.