وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخْتَارُ ۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ 68
Translations
And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allāh and high above what they associate with Him.
Transliteration
Wa rabbuka yakhluqu ma yasha'u wa yakhtaru. Ma kana lahumu al-khiyarah. Subhana Allahi wa ta'ala 'amma yushrikun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute divine prerogative in creation and selection according to His infinite wisdom, denying human beings any inherent right to choose or decide for themselves in matters of faith and guidance. Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the phrase 'He creates what He wills and chooses' encompasses both the creation of beings and the selection of prophets, believers, and paths of guidance, while 'they have no choice' refutes the notion that humans possess independent will in religious matters. The ayah concludes by glorifying Allah's transcendence above the polytheists' false claims of partnership with Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Qasas, which recounts the story of Musa (Moses) and Pharaoh, demonstrating divine guidance and human rejection of truth. The ayah contextually addresses the disbelievers' arrogance in rejecting the message and their false assumption that they have the right to determine their own spiritual path, serving as a rebuke to their shirk (polytheism) and stubbornness.
Related Hadiths
The concept aligns with the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'No soul knows what has been prepared for it of comfort through which the eyes are soothed' (Quran 32:17), emphasizing Allah's hidden wisdom in His choices. Additionally, the hadith about qadar (divine decree) in Sahih Bukhari reinforces that all creation and choice belongs to Allah alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that true success lies in submission to Allah's will rather than reliance on personal whims or societal conventions, and to humble themselves before His absolute authority in all matters. It serves as a spiritual reminder to surrender ego-driven choices and trust in Allah's superior wisdom, which guides believers toward genuine felicity in both worlds.