وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا 62
Translations
And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhi ja'ala al-layla wa al-nahara khilfatan liman arada an yadhakkara aw arada shukura
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is the One who created the alternation of night and day as a means for those who wish to take heed (dhikr) and be grateful (shukr). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that the regular succession of night and day serves as a sign (ayah) for reflection on Divine wisdom and as an opportunity for the grateful servant to recognize Allah's blessings and turn to remembrance. The variation between darkness and light is presented as evidence of Allah's power and a mechanism for spiritual awakening for those who possess the will to seek guidance.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion), a Meccan surah that focuses on refuting polytheistic arguments and establishing monotheism through signs in creation. This particular ayah is part of a broader passage (25:61-65) enumerating Allah's blessings and marvels in creation, aimed at calling the Meccan deniers to reflection and gratitude.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet encouraged contemplation of creation: 'Reflect upon the creation of Allah, but do not reflect upon the essence of Allah, for such reflection is a sin.'
Themes
Key Lesson
The alternating cycle of night and day is not merely a physical phenomenon but a divine provision designed to facilitate our remembrance of Allah and expression of gratitude; our ability and willingness to reflect upon these signs determine whether we receive spiritual benefit from them.