وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ 79
Translations
And it is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhī dhara'akum fī al-ardi wa ilayhi tuhsharun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone is the Creator who dispersed and spread humanity throughout the earth, and to Him all will be gathered on the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'dhara'a' (dispersed/created) indicates Allah's complete sovereignty over human creation and distribution, while the return to Him underscores Divine justice and accountability. Al-Tabari notes this ayah serves as a reminder that the same Creator who brought humanity into existence on earth will also resurrect them for the final reckoning.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mu'minun, a Meccan surah focused on the characteristics of true believers and fundamental Islamic tenets. It comes within a passage (23:78-79) that emphasizes Allah's creation of human faculties (hearing, sight, hearts) and His dominion over all existence—a response to the polytheists' denial of resurrection and Divine unity.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (2749) where the Prophet ﷺ said: 'The most perfect of believers in faith are those who are best in manners' relates to the theme of believers' responsibility before their return to Allah. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3192) about the Day of Judgment emphasizes that all will be gathered before Allah for judgment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that our creation and existence on earth, as well as our ultimate return to Allah, are entirely within His hands—a profound motivation to live consciously, fulfill our earthly responsibilities with purpose, and prepare for the inevitable meeting with our Creator through righteous deeds.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَوا۟ وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَٰجِعُونَ
And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord -
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ
And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.
قُل رَّبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّى مَا يُوعَدُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "My Lord, if You should show me that which they are promised,