وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَـٰهَا بِأَيْي۟دٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ 47
Translations
And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
Transliteration
Wa-as-samaa'a banaynāhā bi-ayyidin wa-innā la-mūsi'ūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah declares that Allah built the sky (heavens) with power and might, and that He is continuously expanding it. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'bi-ayyid' (with mighty hands/power) as a metaphor for Allah's omnipotence and creative ability, while 'wa-innā la-mūsi'ūn' (and indeed, We are the expanders) refers to the cosmic expansion of the universe—a miraculous statement that aligns with modern scientific discoveries about an expanding universe. This ayah emphasizes both Allah's creative power and the vastness and dynamism of His creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Adh-Dhariyat is a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's oneness and power through cosmic signs (āyāt). This particular ayah appears within a section addressing those who deny resurrection and Allah's ability to recreate creation, using the wonders of the heavens as evidence of His infinite power and knowledge.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest ayah in the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi' (Sunan Ibn Majah), which similarly emphasizes Allah's vast knowledge and power over creation. Additionally, hadiths about the seven heavens and their vastness (found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) complement this ayah's theme of celestial grandeur.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the expansion and complexity of the universe are signs of Allah's infinite power and knowledge, inviting us to reflect on creation as evidence of His existence and majesty. It encourages scientific inquiry and wonder, showing that understanding the universe's mysteries deepens faith rather than diminishing it.