ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ 3
Translations
[And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?
Transliteration
Alladhee khalaqa saba'a samawatin tibaqan, ma tara fee khalqi ar-Rahmani min tafawutin, fa-irji'i al-basara hal tara min futurin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's creation of the seven heavens in perfect layers (tiba'q), emphasizing the flawless harmony and design in creation. The ayah then challenges the observer to look carefully at the creation of the Most Merciful to find any defect or imperfection (tafawut or futur), implying that such perfection is evidence of Allah's supreme power and wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as a refutation of polytheism—if other deities existed, there would be discord and defects in creation, but the perfect order testifies to Allah's oneness.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mulk was revealed in Mecca and serves to strengthen the faith of believers by directing attention to the signs of Allah in creation. This ayah is part of the opening of the Surah which emphasizes Allah's absolute sovereignty and the perfection of His creation as evidence of His uniqueness. The surah's theme encourages reflection on the natural world as a means of recognizing Allah's majesty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, one of you will have his creation brought together in his mother's womb for forty days in the form of a seed' (Sahih Bukhari 3208), demonstrating Allah's perfect creation even at the microscopic level. Also relevant is the hadith in which the Prophet encouraged looking at creation to recognize Allah's perfection (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3234).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to pause and reflect on the intricate order and flawless design of the universe as a direct manifestation of Allah's wisdom and oneness—in our modern age of scientific understanding, such reflection can deepen faith and counter doubts by recognizing that perfect order requires a perfect Creator. It reminds us that careful observation of nature is a form of worship and a path to strengthening our relationship with Allah.