قَالُوا۟ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 30
Translations
They said, "Thus has said your Lord; indeed, He is the Wise, the Knowing."
Transliteration
Qāloo kadhalika qāla rabbuka innahu huwa al-hakīmu al-'alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
The angels respond to Allah's command regarding the creation of mankind by saying 'Thus has your Lord said,' affirming that Allah's decision is wise and just. This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute wisdom (hikma) and knowledge ('ilm) in all His decrees, particularly His choice to create humanity as His khalifah (vicegerent) on earth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that the angels' acceptance of this divine wisdom demonstrates the proper response to Allah's commands, even when the wisdom behind them may not be immediately apparent to creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the context of Surah Adh-Dhariyat's discussion of the angels' conversation about Allah's decision to create Adam and humanity. The broader surah establishes themes of divine providence and the cosmic order. The dialogue reflects the angels' initial questions about why Allah would create a being capable of causing corruption, followed by their acceptance of divine wisdom—a narrative that highlights the tension between created wisdom and uncreated divine wisdom.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim (#2804) describes the angels' questions about human nature and their ultimate submission to Allah's will, directly correlating with this ayah's theme of accepting divine wisdom even when creation questions the purpose.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that when facing divine decrees or life circumstances we don't immediately understand, we should trust in Allah's infinite wisdom and knowledge rather than relying on limited human perception. The angels' acceptance of divine wisdom without full comprehension serves as a model for believers to submit to Allah's will with certainty that His decisions are rooted in perfect knowledge and wisdom.
Related Ayahs
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۥ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
Say, "Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers."
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Or that He would not seize them gradually [in a state of dread]? But indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ
Indeed in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing [Our servants].
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,