وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَآبَّةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِۦ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِى عَلَىٰٓ أَرْبَعٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 45
Translations
Allāh has created every [living] creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies, and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allāh creates what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Wa-Allahu khalaqa kulla dabbatin min maa'in faminhum man yamshi ala batnihi wa minhum man yamshi ala rijlayhi wa minhum man yamshi ala arba'in yakhlqu-Allahu ma yashaa inna-Allaha ala kulli shay'in qadeer
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah created all living creatures from water, demonstrating His divine wisdom in creating diverse forms of locomotion—some crawl on their bellies (snakes, fish), some walk on two legs (humans, birds), and some on four legs (quadrupeds). Ibn Kathir explains that this diversity in creation reflects Allah's infinite power and wisdom, and the phrase 'Allah creates what He wills' emphasizes His absolute sovereignty in determining the form and nature of all creatures.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nur (The Light), a Medinan surah that addresses various aspects of Islamic jurisprudence and ethics. This particular verse is part of a broader context (24:40-50) discussing signs of Allah's creation and power, serving to redirect believers' focus from worldly distractions to contemplating divine creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad deeds. Then He clarified [how to distinguish between them]: whosoever intends to do a good deed and does not do it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a complete good deed' (Sahih Bukhari 3321). This relates thematically to Allah's knowledge of all creation. Additionally, the Prophet encouraged reflection on creation as a form of worship.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to observe the natural world as evidence of Allah's supreme wisdom and power, cultivating humility and wonder at the Creator's handiwork. It teaches that diversity in creation is not accidental but purposeful, reminding us that Allah's will encompasses all aspects of existence and should inspire gratitude and obedience.
Related Ayahs
أَوْ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ فِى بَحْرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ يَغْشَىٰهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَآ أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُۥ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَىٰهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ
Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allāh has not granted light - for him there is no light.
وَٱلْقَوَٰعِدُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّـٰتِى لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَـٰتٍۭ بِزِينَةٍ ۖ وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.
وَإِن يَكُن لَّهُمُ ٱلْحَقُّ يَأْتُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مُذْعِنِينَ
But if the right is theirs, they come to him in prompt obedience.
سُورَةٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهَا وَفَرَضْنَـٰهَا وَأَنزَلْنَا فِيهَآ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
[This is] a sūrah which We have sent down and made [that within it] obligatory and revealed therein verses of clear evidence that you might remember.