۞ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ قَادِرٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَهُمْ أَجَلًا لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ فَأَبَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِلَّا كُفُورًا 99
Translations
Do they not see that Allāh, who created the heavens and earth, is [the one] Able to create the likes of them? And He has appointed for them a term, about which there is no doubt. But the wrongdoers refuse except disbelief.
Transliteration
Awa lam yaraw anna Allaha allathee khalaqa al-samawati wa-al-arda qadirun ala an yakhluqa mithlahum wa jaAAala lahum ajalan la rayba feehi fa-aba al-zalimuna illa kufura
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refutes the disbelievers' denial of resurrection by presenting a logical argument: if Allah has the power to create the heavens and the earth, He certainly has the power to recreate humanity after death. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that the creation of the universe is far greater than the recreation of human beings, making resurrection not only possible but logically inevitable. The ayah concludes by noting that despite this clear evidence, the wrongdoers stubbornly persist in disbelief—a rejection born of arrogance rather than rational doubt.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan surah addressing the early rejection of the Message in Mecca. The context deals with Quranic responses to the disbelievers' mockery of the concept of resurrection (al-ba'th), which was a central point of contention between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Meccan polytheists. The ayah serves as a rational proof against their denial of the Day of Judgment.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The resurrection will surely come to pass, I swear by the Lord of this Ka'bah.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) Additionally, Imam Muslim records a hadith where the Prophet addresses disbelievers' denial of resurrection, emphasizing that Allah's power over creation is absolute and resurrection is certain.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that denial of resurrection often stems from spiritual blindness and arrogance rather than intellectual weakness—the proof is evident in creation itself. This ayah invites reflection on our mortality and accountability, encouraging sincere submission to Allah while we have the opportunity, rather than stubborn rejection like those whom the Quran describes as the 'wrongdoers.'