وَٱلَّذِى يُمِيتُنِى ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ 81
Translations
And who will cause me to die and then bring me to life
Transliteration
Wa-alladhī yumeetu-nī thumma yuhyīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Prophet Ibrahim's supplication where he affirms Allah's complete dominion over life and death. Ibrahim acknowledges that only Allah has the power to cause death and then resurrect, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this represents Ibrahim's unwavering monotheistic conviction and serves as evidence against idolatry, as the polytheists' gods possess no such power.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which was revealed in Mecca and highlights the stories of various prophets as evidence of Allah's truth. Verses 26:77-89 contain Ibrahim's personal testimony of faith, where this ayah occurs as part of his declaration rejecting idolatry and affirming Allah's attributes. The context emphasizes that true faith requires recognizing Allah's sole authority over creation, life, and death.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'The slave has not uttered words more excellent than these: 'Subhanallah wa bihamdihi, subhanallah al-'adheem' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him, glory be to Allah the Great)' - emphasizing remembrance of Allah's greatness and power. Also relevant: the hadith on the five matters none knows except Allah (Surah Luqman 31:34), which includes knowledge of when death will come.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that true faith requires acknowledging Allah's absolute control over all aspects of existence, particularly life and death, and should inspire humility and reliance solely upon Him. In modern context, it encourages detachment from worldly anxieties by recognizing that our lifespan is predetermined and entirely in Allah's hands.
Related Ayahs
لَهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.
ٱلْمُلْكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ وَكَانَ يَوْمًا عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَسِيرًا
True sovereignty, that Day, is for the Most Merciful. And it will be upon the disbelievers a difficult Day.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Allāh - there is no deity except Him. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.