إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 54
Translations
Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allāh, Lord of the worlds.
Transliteration
Inna rabbakumu allahu allathi khalaqa alssamawati waalarda fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa ala alAAarshi yugheeshee allayla alnnahara yatlubuhu hatheethan waalshshamsa waalqamara walnnjuumu musakhkharatun biamrihi ala lahu alkhalqu waalaamru tabaraka allahu rabbu alAAalameena
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid) by affirming that He is the sole Creator of the heavens and earth in six days, then established Himself upon the Throne. The verse describes the cosmic cycle where night covers the day in rapid succession, and all celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—are subjugated by His command. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this passage refutes polytheism and demonstrates Allah's absolute sovereignty over creation and command, as indicated by the concluding statement: 'To Him belongs creation and command.'
Revelation Context
Surah Al-A'raf is a Meccan chapter revealed during the early Islamic period when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was confronting the polytheistic beliefs of the Quraysh. This ayah appears in a section addressing the fundamental beliefs of Islam and is part of the broader Quranic theme of refuting idolatry and establishing monotheism through reflection on creation.
Related Hadiths
Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most favored supplication is 'there is no deity except You, glory be to You, I have been among the wrongdoers' (Dua of Dhun-Nun)' - related to recognizing Allah's majesty and sovereignty as mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari describing creation in six days is referenced when discussing this verse's account of creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to reflect on the precise order and beauty of creation as evidence of Allah's infinite wisdom and power, encouraging contemplation (tafakkur) as a path to strengthened faith. For modern readers, it teaches that recognizing the intricate design of the universe should lead to humble submission to the Creator and awareness of one's place within His grand design.