ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُطْفَةً فِى قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ 13
Translations
Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging [i.e., the womb].
Transliteration
Thumma ja'alnahu nutfatan fee qararin makeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the second stage of human creation, where Allah places the sperm drop (nutfah) in a secure and firmly established place—the womb of the mother. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that 'qararin makeen' (a secure resting place) refers to the uterus, emphasizing Allah's perfect design in protecting the developing embryo. The progression from simple sperm to this protected state demonstrates divine wisdom and care in the creation of human life.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mu'minun's detailed description of human embryological development, a theme central to the surah's affirmation of Allah's creative power and oneness. The surah addresses the believers and non-believers alike, using observable biological processes as evidence of divine creation and the necessity of belief in the resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Each one of you is created in the womb of his mother for forty days as a nutfah (sperm drop)...' (Sahih Bukhari 3208). This hadith directly complements the Quranic description of this stage of creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that from the very beginning of human existence, Allah has established perfect protection and provision for us, teaching modern believers to trust in Divine wisdom regarding life's processes and to recognize that vulnerability and dependence on Allah is fundamental to our nature.
Related Ayahs
وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ
And upon them and on ships you are carried.
قَـٰلَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ
[Allāh] will say, "How long did you remain on earth in number of years?"
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرْنِى بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ
[Noah] said, "My Lord, support me because they have denied me."
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً مَّا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allāh had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers.