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
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.
فَأَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
And We sent among them a messenger from themselves, [saying], "Worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him; then will you not fear Him?"
فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لِبَشَرَيْنِ مِثْلِنَا وَقَوْمُهُمَا لَنَا عَـٰبِدُونَ
They said, "Should we believe two men like ourselves while their people are for us in servitude?"
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا نَحْنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا هَـٰذَا مِن قَبْلُ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before; this is not but legends of the former peoples."