قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ 72
Translations
Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"
Transliteration
Qul arayaytum in jaala Allahu alaikumu alnnihara sarmadan ila yawmi alqqiyamati man ilahun ghayru Allahi yatikum biallayli taskunun fihi afalaa tubsirun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical argument challenging the polytheists to imagine if Allah made the day perpetual until the Day of Judgment—who else besides Allah could bring them the night in which they rest? The verse emphasizes Allah's exclusive divine power and wisdom in creating the alternation of day and night, which sustains human life. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as evidence against shirk (associating partners with Allah), demonstrating that no false god possesses such creative authority or ability to provide humanity's fundamental needs.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Al-Qasas, a Meccan chapter addressing the polytheists of Mecca. It is part of a series of rhetorical arguments (verses 71-73) designed to convince the disbelievers of Allah's oneness by highlighting the blessings and necessities He alone provides. The context reflects the early Meccan period's focus on tawhid (monotheism) and refutation of idolatry.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly cites this verse, Sahih Bukhari and Muslim contain numerous ahadith on the creation of day and night as signs of Allah's power. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized gratitude for these blessings in various contexts, including the evening and morning supplications (du'a).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize the fundamental blessings we often take for granted—the alternation of day and night—as evidence of Allah's singular divine authority and wisdom. We should cultivate gratitude for these necessities and use reason to strengthen our conviction in tawhid, understanding that only Allah possesses the power to sustain creation's order.
Related Ayahs
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا لِّيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۗ فَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُخْبِتِينَ
And for every [religious] community We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allāh over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muḥammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord]
وَلَئِن مُّتُّمْ أَوْ قُتِلْتُمْ لَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
And whether you die or are killed, unto Allāh you will be gathered.
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَكُمْ وَلَآ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَنصُرُونَ
And those you call upon besides Him are unable to help you, nor can they help themselves."
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Invoke those you claim [as deities] besides Allāh." They do not possess an atom's weight [of ability] in the heavens or on the earth, and they do not have therein any partnership [with Him], nor is there for Him from among them any assistant.