ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ 61
Translations
That is because Allāh causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and because Allāh is Hearing and Seeing.
Transliteration
Dhālika bi-anna Allāha yūliju al-layla fī al-nahāri wa yūliju al-nahāra fī al-layli wa anna Allāha samīʿun baṣīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah explains that Allah causes the night to enter into the day and the day to enter into the night, describing the gradual transition and overlap between darkness and light. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a sign of Allah's perfect divine wisdom and control over the cosmos—the continuous cycle of day and night represents the balance and order He has established in creation. The ayah concludes by affirming that Allah is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, emphasizing that nothing escapes His knowledge, which is foundational to understanding divine justice and accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj (a Medinan chapter revealed during the Prophet's time in Madinah), within a broader context discussing signs of Allah's power and the certainty of the Day of Judgment. It follows discussions about those who dispute concerning Allah and emphasizes natural phenomena as proofs of His existence and sovereignty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is sincere in seeking knowledge of Allah's signs will recognize Him in creation.' (Related to the theme of observing natural signs). Also relevant: Sahih Bukhari 3191 where the Prophet described the creation and ordering of day and night as evidence of Allah's perfect design.
Themes
Key Lesson
The continuous cycle of day and night serves as a reminder that Allah maintains perfect order in the universe and is intimately aware of all creation—believers should reflect on these natural signs to strengthen their faith and recognize that their own deeds are constantly witnessed by the All-Knowing God.
Related Ayahs
مَّا لَهُۥ مِن دَافِعٍ
Of it there is no preventer.
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَهُمْ أُلُوفٌ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مُوتُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَحْيَـٰهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Have you not considered those who left their homes in many thousands, fearing death? Allāh said to them, "Die"; then He restored them to life. And Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude.
إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ
Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُزْجِى سَحَابًا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيْنَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُۥ رُكَامًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن جِبَالٍ فِيهَا مِنۢ بَرَدٍ فَيُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَصْرِفُهُۥ عَن مَّن يَشَآءُ ۖ يَكَادُ سَنَا بَرْقِهِۦ يَذْهَبُ بِٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِ
Do you not see that Allāh drives clouds? Then He brings them together; then He makes them into a mass, and you see the rain emerge from within it. And He sends down from the sky, mountains [of clouds] within which is hail, and He strikes with it whom He wills and averts it from whom He wills. The flash of its lightning almost takes away the eyesight.