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
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ ۚ إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord; then he turns away from them? Indeed We, from the criminals, will take retribution.
فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e., satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
As for those who believed and did righteous deeds, for them will be the Gardens of Refuge as accommodation for what they used to do.
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."