أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَيْفَ مَدَّ ٱلظِّلَّ وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَجَعَلَهُۥ سَاكِنًا ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا ٱلشَّمْسَ عَلَيْهِ دَلِيلًا 45
Translations
Have you not considered your Lord - how He extends the shadow, and if He willed, He could have made it stationary? Then We made the sun for it an indication.
Transliteration
Alam tara ila rabbika kayfa madda az-zill wa law shaa la ja'alahu sakina thumma ja'alna ash-shamsa alayhi dalila
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah invites reflection on Allah's power and wisdom in creating the shadow phenomenon—a sign of His creative mastery. Allah demonstrates that He could have made shadows permanent and motionless, yet He graciously causes the sun to move across it as evidence (dalil) of His existence and control. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize this as proof of Allah's divine attributes and meticulous design in creation, serving as a reminder for those who reflect (yatafakkarun).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Furqan, a Meccan chapter that addresses the disbelievers' rejection and presents empirical evidence of Allah's oneness through natural phenomena. The broader context (25:43-50) presents multiple signs in creation—shadows, vegetation, winds, and sustenance—to convince people of Allah's existence and power, appealing to rational observation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895). More directly related: 'Whoever reflects upon the creation of Allah will find proofs of His oneness' - a general principle supported by traditions encouraging contemplation of creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to observe the natural world as evidence of Allah's existence and attributes, encouraging us to move beyond superficial existence and engage in meaningful reflection on creation as a path to strengthening our faith and gratitude to the Creator.