وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلْمِيزَانَ 7
Translations
And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance
Transliteration
Wa-as-samaa'a rafa'aha wa-wada'a al-meezaan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's establishment of the heavens at an incomparable height and His placement of the balance (mizan) as a principle of justice and equilibrium in creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'raising the sky' demonstrates Allah's power and majesty, while 'placing the balance' symbolizes both the physical laws of proportion in creation and the moral imperative of justice that Allah has ordained for human affairs. Al-Tabari notes that the mizan represents equity and fairness in all dealings, reflecting the divine order established throughout the universe.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ar-Rahman, a Medinan chapter that repeatedly emphasizes Allah's blessings and mercies (ni'am) to humanity. The surah's recurring refrain 'So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?' contextualizes this verse within a comprehensive reminder of divine benevolence, connecting the cosmic order of the heavens with the moral-social order of justice that Allah expects from His servants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Verily, Allah has prescribed ihsan (excellence) in all things. So if you kill, kill well, and if you slaughter, slaughter well' (Sahih Muslim 1955), which reflects the principle of balance and justice. Additionally, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895) demonstrates practical justice in human relations.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that just as Allah has established perfect balance and harmony in the physical universe, He expects us to uphold justice and fairness in our dealings with others. The alignment of cosmic order with moral order reminds us that pursuing justice is not merely a social obligation but a reflection of the divine design woven into creation itself.