أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَـٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحْـِۧىَ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 33
Translations
Do they not see that Allāh, who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw anna Allaha allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda walam yaAAya bikhalqihinna biqadirin AAala an yuhyi almawtaa bala innahu AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a powerful logical argument for the resurrection: if Allah created the vast heavens and earth without any fatigue or difficulty, then surely He is capable of resurrecting the dead, which is comparatively easier. The word 'yaAAya' (become weary) emphasizes that creation required no effort for Allah, establishing His absolute power. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari highlight this as a rhetorical question meant to convince the Meccan disbelievers of the reality of the afterlife through rational contemplation of Allah's creative power.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh denied the Day of Judgment and resurrection. The ayah directly addresses the skepticism of those who questioned how Allah could resurrect bodies after death, responding by drawing a comparison to the even greater miracle of creating the universe itself.
Related Hadiths
The theme of resurrection and Allah's power is reinforced in the hadith: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent' (Sahih Bukhari 6018), emphasizing preparation for accountability in the afterlife. Additionally, Surah Yasin (36:79) contains a related concept: 'Say: He will give them life who created them for the first time' (Tafsir al-Tabari).
Themes
Key Lesson
If we truly reflect upon the majesty and complexity of creation around us—the heavens, earth, and all they contain—we should have unwavering certainty in Allah's ability to resurrect us on the Day of Judgment, and this contemplation should strengthen our faith and moral accountability in this life.