وَمَا ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ 20
Translations
And that is not difficult for Allāh.
Transliteration
Wa mā dhālika 'alā Allāhi bi-'azīz
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that resurrecting and recreating humanity is not difficult for Allah, contrary to what the disbelievers claim. The phrase 'not difficult' (laysa bi-'azīz) emphasizes Allah's absolute power and capability, as Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that what seems impossible to human perception is effortless for the Divine. The ayah directly responds to those who mock the concept of resurrection, establishing that the recreation of bodies after death is entirely within Allah's infinite power.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ibrahim, which was revealed in Mecca during the period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The surah addresses the disbelievers' rejection of the resurrection and their mockery of the message. This specific ayah comes after verses discussing Allah's creation of humanity and the signs of His power, providing reassurance to believers while rebuking those who denied resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3195) where the Prophet (peace be upon him) described how Allah will gather humanity on the Day of Judgment relates to this theme of resurrection. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the trumpet blast and resurrection emphasizes the certainty of this event despite disbelievers' doubts.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to trust in Allah's infinite power and promises, particularly regarding resurrection, while reminding us that doubts about Divine capability stem from limited human perception. For modern readers, it encourages unwavering faith in Allah's plans even when circumstances seem impossible, fostering spiritual confidence and certainty in Divine wisdom.
Related Ayahs
أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ
Or do you feel secure that He who is above would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.
نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَـٰهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَـٰلَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا
We have created them and strengthened their forms, and when We will, We can change their likenesses with [complete] alteration.
إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُۥٓ إِذَآ أَرَادَ شَيْـًٔا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Say, "O Allāh, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.