مَرَجَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ 19
Translations
He released the two seas, meeting [one another];
Transliteration
Maraja al-bahrayni yaltaqiyani
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the meeting of two seas (fresh and salt water) while maintaining their distinct properties and not mixing. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir explain this as a reference to the natural phenomenon where rivers meet oceans, or where different bodies of water come together, yet a barrier (barzakh) prevents their immediate mixing. This demonstrates Allah's precision in creation and the intricate balance He maintains in nature, serving as a sign (ayah) of His divine wisdom and power.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ar-Rahman, a Medinan surah that emphasizes the signs (ayat) of Allah's creation and His blessings upon humanity. The surah systematically presents examples from the natural world to evoke contemplation and gratitude toward the Creator. This particular ayah fits within a broader section describing the marvels of the oceanic world.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly comments on this ayah, Hadith Qudsi emphasizes Allah's creation: 'Everything is easy for Allah' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, hadiths encourage reflection on creation as a means to strengthen faith, consistent with the surah's purpose of spiritual enrichment through natural observations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to observe the natural world with reverence and scientific curiosity, recognizing that the intricate balance in creation—such as the separation of waters—reflects Allah's perfect design and wisdom. It encourages us to move beyond mere existence and contemplate how every detail of creation demonstrates purposeful divine engineering.
Related Ayahs
فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلشَّفَقِ
So I swear by the twilight glow
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَيُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَآءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Do you not see that Allāh has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allāh, to the people, is Kind and Merciful.
لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
That they may eat of His fruit. And their hands have not produced it, so will they not be grateful?
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ
[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.