أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۩ 18
Translations
Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allāh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allāh humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allāh does what He wills.
Transliteration
Alam tara anna Allaha yasjudu lahu man fi as-samawati wa man fi al-ardi wa ash-shams wa al-qamar wa an-nujum wa al-jibal wa ash-shajar wa ad-dawabb wa kathir min an-nas wa kathir haqqa alayhi al-adhab wa man yuhin Allahu fa ma lahu min mukarrim inna Allaha yafalu ma yasha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the universal prostration and submission of all creation to Allah—from the celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) to the mountains, vegetation, and animals. Ibn Kathir explains that this refers to the inherent obedience and submission of all creation to Allah's laws and will, as well as literal prostration by those capable. The ayah concludes by distinguishing those who willingly submit (many among humanity) from those who reject faith and deserve punishment, emphasizing that honor comes only through Allah's grace, not human endeavor.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hajj is Medinan and addresses the reality of the Hajj pilgrimage while expounding Islamic monotheism. This particular ayah comes in a section emphasizing Allah's absolute sovereignty and the universal nature of worship, serving as a reminder to believers that all existence acknowledges Allah's lordship, making human rejection of faith a rebellion against natural order.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Every day the sun rises, and with it angels come down saying: O Lord, judge between Your servants regarding that in which they differ.' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Also relevant: The Prophet mentioned that every creature glorifies Allah in its own way (Tafsir context from various hadith collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as all of creation naturally submits to Allah's laws and design, humans are called to conscious, willing submission through faith and obedience. Recognition that true honor and dignity come only through Allah's grace, not through worldly status or rejecting divine guidance.
Related Ayahs
وَلَهُم مَّقَـٰمِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ
And for [striking] them are maces of iron.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩
O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed.
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allāh; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allāh upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy [who does not seek aid] and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُوا۟ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا۟ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْأُمُورِ
[And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakāh and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allāh belongs the outcome of [all] matters.