وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَرْسَىٰهَا 32
Translations
And the mountains He set firmly
Transliteration
Wa-al-jibāla arsāhā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Allah's establishment of mountains as firmly fixed landmarks on the earth. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the mountains serve as anchors that stabilize the earth and prevent it from shaking, while also providing resources and shelter for humanity. The word 'arsāhā' (He made them firm/stable) emphasizes the divine precision in creation and the mountains' role as signs of Allah's power and wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Nazi'at's broader discourse on the Day of Judgment and the signs of creation. It is part of a passage (79:27-33) that enumerates Allah's creative acts—raising the heavens, spreading the earth, and establishing mountains—all presented as evidence of His ability to resurrect humanity and emphasize His absolute dominion.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned mountains in the context of divine creation: 'The mountains are like pegs for the earth' (a concept found in various hadith collections). Additionally, Surah Al-Anbiya' 31 contains a related ayah: 'We placed mountains on the earth, lest it should shake with them,' which clarifies the stabilizing function mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
Observing the natural world, particularly the majesty and stability of mountains, should inspire awe of Allah's creative power and serve as a reminder of His careful design of creation. This ayah invites us to reflect on how Allah has prepared the earth perfectly for human habitation, fostering gratitude and mindfulness of His blessings.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ بَشَرًا فَجَعَلَهُۥ نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرًا
And it is He who has created from water [i.e., semen] a human being and made him [a relative by] lineage and marriage. And ever is your Lord competent [concerning creation].
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ مِن طِينٍ
Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰٓ أَجَلًا ۖ وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُۥ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ
It is He who created you from clay and then decreed a term and a specified time [known] to Him; then [still] you are in dispute.
وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا
And the mountains as stakes?