أَمَّن جَعَلَ ٱلْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَـٰلَهَآ أَنْهَـٰرًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 61
Translations
Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allāh? [No], but most of them do not know.
Transliteration
Am-man ja'ala al-arda qararan wa ja'ala khilalaha anharan wa ja'ala laha rawasi wa ja'ala bayna al-bahrami hajiza a-ilahun ma'a Allah bal aktharul-hum la ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a rhetorical argument (istiftham inkari) challenging the polytheists by asking: 'Is there any deity besides Allah who has made the earth a stable dwelling place, placed rivers flowing through it, set mountains as anchors, and separated the two seas with a barrier?' Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this verse emphasizes Allah's unique creative power and sustaining authority over creation, highlighting the impossibility of partners to Allah in these divine functions. The ayah concludes that most people lack knowledge ('ilm) to recognize this truth, implying willful denial rather than genuine ignorance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan surah An-Naml and is part of a broader passage (27:59-65) where Prophet Solomon presents compelling proofs of Allah's oneness to the people. The context addresses the Meccan polytheists' rejection of monotheism, using observable natural phenomena as irrefutable evidence of Allah's sole dominion.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most complete of the believers in faith are those who have the best character' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi), relating to how recognition of Allah's signs should cultivate humble acknowledgment. Additionally, 'Whoever reflects on the creation of Allah will find that creation strengthens faith' (Ibn Rajab), directly connecting contemplation of natural signs to spiritual understanding.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should regularly contemplate the intricate design and perfect balance of creation—the stability of earth, the flow of rivers, mountains, and oceanic barriers—as tangible reminders of Allah's absolute authority and wisdom, using these observations to strengthen faith and reject false deities. This reflection is not merely intellectual but should translate into deeper gratitude, humility, and recognition of humanity's dependence on the Divine.