ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ 8
Translations
Then He made his posterity out of the extract of a liquid disdained.
Transliteration
Thumma ja'ala naslahu min sulalatin min ma'in maheen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah created human offspring through a process of reproduction originating from a despised, insignificant fluid (semen). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that despite the humble and seemingly contemptible origin of human creation, Allah elevates mankind with reason, speech, and dignity. The term 'maheen' (despised/weak) underscores human humility before the Divine, reinforcing the theme that all creation begins from the most insignificant matter yet is given supreme purpose.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah As-Sajdah, a Meccan surah that comprehensively describes the creation of humanity and the cosmos as signs of Allah's power and wisdom. The surah contextually addresses the deniers of the Resurrection and uses the marvel of human creation as evidence of Divine capability to resurrect the dead.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Each one of you is created in the womb of his mother for forty days as a Nutfah (sperm-drop), then he becomes an Alaqah (a clot of blood) for a like period, then a Mudghah (a lump of flesh) for a like period' (Sahih Bukhari 3208). This hadith details the stages following the initial creation mentioned in Ayah 32:8.
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing our humble physical origins should inspire gratitude for Allah's favor in granting us intellect, conscience, and noble purpose—reminding us that true greatness lies not in our material composition but in our moral responsibility and submission to the Divine.
Related Ayahs
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَـٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ
Have they not seen that We drive water [in clouds] to barren land and bring forth thereby crops from which their livestock eat and [they] themselves? Then do they not see?
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ
If you could but see when the criminals are hanging their heads before their Lord, [saying], "Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so return us [to the world]; we will work righteousness. Indeed, we are [now] certain."
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۩
Only those believe in Our verses who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant.
ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His [created] soul and made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect]; little are you grateful.