وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن رِّزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ ءَايَـٰتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ 5
Translations
And [in] the alternation of night and day and [in] what Allāh sends down from the sky of provision [i.e., rain] and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and [in His] directing of the winds are signs for a people who reason.
Transliteration
Wa-ikhtilāf al-layl wa-al-nahār wa-mā anzal-Allāh min-al-samā' min rizq fa-ahyā bih-al-ard ba'da mawt-ihā wa-taṣrīf al-riyāḥ āyāt li-qawm ya'qilūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents four signs (āyāt) of Allah's power and wisdom: the alternation of night and day, the descent of sustenance from the sky, the revival of dead earth by rain, and the variation of winds. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these observable phenomena serve as clear evidence of Allah's existence and mastery over creation, particularly for those who possess intellect and reflect upon them. Al-Tabari notes that the mention of these specific signs addresses the rational faculties of mankind, challenging them to recognize the Creator through contemplation of natural laws.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Jathiyah, a Meccan surah revealed during the early preaching period when the Quran frequently appealed to natural phenomena as proof of Tawhid against the polytheism of the Meccan disbelievers. The surah's broader context involves refuting those who deny resurrection and the Day of Judgment by pointing to Allah's creative power evident in daily observable events.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Consider the signs of Allah and do not be heedless' (implied in various hadiths). More specifically, Sunan At-Tirmidhi records that the Prophet emphasized reflection upon creation as a form of worship: 'The best form of worship is to ponder upon the signs of Allah.' The theme aligns with the hadith encouraging contemplation of the heavens and earth as means to strengthen faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that spiritual insight requires rational reflection—faith and reason are complementary, not contradictory, and observing the intricate balance of natural cycles should inspire gratitude and strengthen our conviction in Allah's existence and providence. For modern readers, it encourages mindfulness of everyday miracles in nature as opportunities to deepen faith and counter spiritual heedlessness.