وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرْذَلِ ٱلْعُمُرِ لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ 70
Translations
And Allāh created you; then He will take you in death. And among you is he who is reversed to the most decrepit [old] age so that he will not know, after [having had] knowledge, a thing. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Competent.
Transliteration
Wa-Allahu khalaqakum thumma yatawaffakum wa-minkum man yuraddu ila ardhali al-umuri likay la ya'lama ba'da 'ilmin shay'an. Inna Allaha 'alimun qadirun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah creates humanity and will cause them to die, while some people are returned to the weakest stage of life (old age) in which they lose knowledge and understanding they previously possessed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this describes the natural progression of human life and the divine wisdom in the cycles of creation, demonstrating Allah's complete knowledge and power over all affairs. Al-Qurtubi notes that the loss of faculties in extreme old age is a humbling reminder of human dependence on Allah's mercy.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl, a Meccan chapter that discusses the signs of Allah's creation and power. It appears within a section addressing the creation of humanity and the various stages of life, serving as a reminder to the Meccan disbelievers of Allah's absolute authority over life and death, and the reality of human weakness despite any worldly power.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who live long and do good deeds' (Tirmidhi), emphasizing virtue in old age. Also relevant is the hadith: 'May Allah curse the age of sixty,' understood as a prayer for Allah's mercy during times of weakness (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that all stages of life, including old age and loss of capacity, are part of Allah's divine plan and serve as humbling reminders of our ultimate dependence on Him. We should treat the elderly with compassion and respect, recognizing that their vulnerability is a test and an opportunity to practice mercy, while also preparing ourselves spiritually for all stages of life.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا۟ ثُمَّ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ وَصَبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been compelled [to say words of disbelief] and thereafter fought [for the cause of Allāh] and were patient - indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَـٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
And those who associate others with Allāh say, "If Allāh had willed, we would not have worshipped anything other than Him, neither we nor our fathers, nor would we have forbidden anything through other than Him." Thus did those do before them. So is there upon the messengers except [the duty of] clear notification?
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ
And they attribute to Allāh that which they dislike [i.e., daughters], and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best [from Him]. Assuredly, they will have the Fire, and they will be [therein] neglected.
إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ سُلْطَـٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.