وَمَا ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ 17
Translations
And that is for Allāh not difficult.
Transliteration
Wa maa dhaalika 'alaa Allahi bi'azeez
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the action mentioned—whether resurrection, renewal of creation, or sustaining life—is not difficult or impossible for Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that 'azeez' (mighty/difficult) here negates any hardship for Allah, underscoring His infinite power and the ease with which He accomplishes all things. The ayah serves to strengthen conviction in Allah's absolute capability and to dismiss any doubt about His ability to resurrect humanity or fulfill His promises.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Fatir's discussion of creation, sustenance, and divine power. The preceding verses (35:16) mention that if Allah wills to replace humanity with a new creation, He is fully capable of doing so. This ayah concludes that theme by emphasizing that such acts are effortless for the Almighty, fitting the Meccan surah's focus on tawhid (monotheism) and combating disbelief in resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The principle relates to Hadith Qudsi: 'My mercy encompasses all things' (Sahih Muslim 2751), affirming Allah's absolute power and will. Also relevant is the hadith, 'There is nothing like unto Him' (Quran 42:11, reinforced in Sahih Bukhari traditions), emphasizing His unique transcendence and capability.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that no matter how impossible a situation seems, Allah's power is absolute and infinite—He is never constrained by circumstance or limitation. For modern readers, it provides comfort and assurance that with Allah, all problems are surmountable and all divine promises will certainly be fulfilled.