وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ 12
Translations
And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad khalaqna al-insana min sulalatin min tin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah created humanity from a refined essence extracted from clay (tin), emphasizing the humble origins of mankind despite our intellectual and spiritual capabilities. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'sulalah' (سُلَـٰلَةٍ) refers to a pure extract or progeny, indicating that humans were created from a purified and concentrated essence of clay, not from clay in its entirety. This verse introduces the theme of human creation and dignity, contrasting our material origins with our spiritual purpose and noble status as Allah's vicegerents on earth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Mu'minun, a Meccan surah that comprehensively addresses the characteristics and beliefs of true believers. The surah opens with descriptions of believers' qualities and transitions to proofs of Allah's existence and power through creation narratives. This particular verse begins the detailed account of human creation that continues through subsequent ayahs, serving as evidence of Allah's wisdom and power to the Meccan disbelievers.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in a hadith preserved in Sahih Muslim: 'When forty-two nights have passed over the embryo, Allah sends an angel and gives it form' - relating to the detailed stages of human creation mentioned in subsequent verses. Additionally, the hadith 'The most perfect of believers in faith is the best of them in character' (Tirmidhi) connects to the theme that despite our clay origins, believers are elevated through faith and conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah humbles us by reminding us of our material origins from clay, yet elevates our purpose as dignified beings created with intentionality and spiritual capacity. It should inspire gratitude to Allah for our creation and motivate us to fulfill our role as responsible stewards of His creation, recognizing that our true nobility lies not in our physical composition but in our faith, character, and obedience to Allah.