ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ 11
Translations
Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."
Transliteration
Thumma istawa ila al-sama'i wa-hiya dukhun faqala laha wa-li-al-ardi i'tiya ta'wan aw karhan qalata ataina ta'i'in
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's command to the heavens (which were in a state of smoke) and the earth to come into existence willingly or unwillingly, and both responded in obedience. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as depicting the creation of the heavens and earth, where Allah's command is absolute and all creation submits to His will. The mention of 'willingly or unwillingly' emphasizes that obedience to Allah's decree is inevitable—whether consciously or not, all creation complies with Divine order.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Fussilat (Chapter 41), a Meccan surah that details the creation narrative and Allah's signs in the universe. It appears in a section (verses 9-12) describing the creation of the earth and heavens across six days, serving as evidence of Allah's power and uniqueness to the Meccan polytheists who denied the message of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Related Hadiths
The hadith of Abu Hurayrah regarding the creation of the heavens and earth is thematically related, found in Sahih Bukhari (3191) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) explains the creation process. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about Allah's creation being obedient to His command reflects this ayah's theme of universal submission.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that all creation, by nature, submits to Allah's will and Divine order—a reminder that true obedience and surrender to Allah's commands should be the natural response of the believer, just as the heavens and earth responded willingly to their Creator's decree.