تُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَتُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ ۖ وَتَرْزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ 27
Translations
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]."
Transliteration
Tuliju al-layla fi al-nahāri wa tuliju al-nahāra fi al-layli wa tukhriju al-ḥayya min al-mayyiti wa tukhriju al-mayyita min al-ḥayyi wa tarzuqu man tashāʾu bighayri hisāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's absolute power over creation through the interpenetration of night and day (the continuous cycle of darkness and light), the emergence of living beings from lifeless matter and vice versa (both physically and metaphorically—as in the bringing forth of believers from disbelievers), and His provision of sustenance to whomever He wills without measure or limitation. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that these phenomena demonstrate Allah's divine attributes of power (Qudrah), wisdom (Hikmah), and generosity (Jūd), while Ibn Kathir notes the ayah illustrates how all natural cycles and creation itself are subject to Allah's will alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Medinan surah Ali 'Imran within a passage affirming Allah's oneness (Tawheed) and addressing those who dispute His attributes. The broader context (3:26-27) emphasizes Allah's sovereignty and control over all domains, contrasting His unlimited power with human limitations, serving as evidence against polytheistic claims.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 3191: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned that Allah created the night and day, relating to the constant alternation described in this ayah. Also relevant is the general principle found in multiple hadith collections that 'The best provision is that which is lawful,' connecting to Allah's provision without measure (rizq).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize Allah's absolute sovereignty in all natural phenomena and life circumstances, fostering trust (Tawakkul) that provision comes from Allah alone—encouraging detachment from material anxiety and dependence on worldly means. It invites reflection on how the regular cycles of day and night and the renewal of life are divine signs meant to strengthen faith and remind us of our complete dependence on the Creator.