وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ 49
Translations
And to Allāh prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant.
Transliteration
Wa lillahi yasjudu ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ardi min dabbah wa al-mala'ikatu wa hum la yastakbiroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that all creatures in the heavens and on earth, along with the angels, prostrate to Allah in submission and obedience. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this prostration represents the natural submission of all creation to Allah's will and divine order, whether through conscious recognition (as with humans and angels) or through their inherent nature and purpose. The phrase 'wa hum la yastakbiroon' (and they are not arrogant) emphasizes that neither the angels nor any creature refuses or shows arrogance toward Allah's command, presenting a stark contrast to human free will and the danger of human pride.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl (Meccan chapter) within a broader context of demonstrating Allah's majesty and the universality of creation's submission to Him. The surah uses natural phenomena, particularly the example of bees mentioned in its name, to illustrate divine wisdom and providence. This specific ayah reinforces the theme that all creation acknowledges Allah's supremacy.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Every creature glorifies with his prayer' (Sunan Ibn Majah), indicating that all creatures engage in worship and submission according to their nature. Additionally, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet taught that when one prostrates, they should say 'Subhana Rabbi al-A'la' (Glory be to my Lord the Most High), reflecting conscious participation in the universal prostration described in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that submission to Allah is the natural state of all creation and should be our default condition; it challenges human arrogance and reminds us that maintaining humility and obedience to Allah aligns us with the fundamental nature of the universe rather than opposing it.
Related Ayahs
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.
وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلْأَعْنَـٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who reason.
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَـٰتِ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۙ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
And they attribute to Allāh daughters - exalted is He - and for them is what they desire [i.e., sons].
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Indeed, Allāh orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.