وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ دَآئِبَيْنِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ 33
Translations
And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day.
Transliteration
Wa sakhkhara lakumush-shamsa wal-qamara daa'ibain, wa sakhkhara lakumul-laila wan-nahar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's subjugation of the celestial bodies and day-night cycle for human benefit. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that 'daa'ibain' (constantly/continuously) describes the sun and moon's perpetual, unwavering motion in their orbits, demonstrating Allah's perfect control over creation. The ayah presents these cosmic phenomena as signs of divine power and as blessings specifically arranged for human sustenance, navigation, and the regulation of life on Earth.
Revelation Context
Surah Ibrahim, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam, focuses on addressing polytheism and presenting monotheistic arguments through creation's signs. This ayah fits within the surah's broader theme of highlighting Allah's blessings and sovereignty to convince the polytheists of His oneness, in contrast to their worship of lifeless idols.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The sun and moon are two of Allah's signs; they are not eclipsed for anyone's death or birth' (Sahih Bukhari 1044). Additionally, the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi emphasizes reflecting upon the celestial bodies as a means of understanding Allah's greatness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize the intricate systems governing our universe as evidence of Allah's infinite wisdom and to be grateful for these provisions. By contemplating how the sun, moon, and day-night cycle sustain all life, we develop humility before our Creator and strengthen our conviction in His perfect design.
Related Ayahs
وَمَآ أَفَآءَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ مِنْهُمْ فَمَآ أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلَا رِكَابٍ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَلِّطُ رُسُلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And what Allāh restored [of property] to His Messenger from them - you did not spur for it [in an expedition] any horses or camels, but Allāh gives His messengers power over whom He wills, and Allāh is over all things competent.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّى قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَفِيظٌ
But if you turn away, then I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian."
وَأَذِنَتْ لِرَبِّهَا وَحُقَّتْ
And has listened [i.e., responded] to its Lord and was obligated [to do so] -