إِلَىٰ قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ 22
Translations
For a known extent.
Transliteration
Ilá qadarin ma'lúm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This phrase refers to water being sent down from the sky in a measured and predetermined quantity, as part of Allah's perfect divine wisdom and planning. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that this demonstrates Allah's complete control over creation—the exact amount of rain is fixed and known only to Allah, neither excessive nor deficient. This is part of the broader context of Surah Al-Mursalat, which emphasizes how Allah sends forth His messengers and sustains creation according to precise measures.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mursalat is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of prophethood, emphasizing Allah's power and sovereignty. This ayah appears within a passage (77:16-22) describing the creation of humans and the provision of sustenance through rain, serving as evidence of Allah's oneness and His meticulous management of the universe.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly quotes this ayah, the concept relates to hadith reports about rainfall: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Rain is sent down by the will of Allah,' and there are numerous hadiths emphasizing that sustenance and water are measured blessings from Allah (Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that nothing in creation occurs by chance—even the quantity of rain that sustains life is divinely measured and purposeful. It invites reflection on trusting Allah's providence and recognizing His wisdom in all affairs, encouraging contentment with what Allah has decreed.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا
And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا ۗ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا ٱلْقِبْلَةَ ٱلَّتِى كُنتَ عَلَيْهَآ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يَتَّبِعُ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِمَّن يَنقَلِبُ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ ۚ وَإِن كَانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَـٰنَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِٱلنَّاسِ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And thus We have made you a median [i.e., just] community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you. And We did not make the qiblah which you used to face except that We might make evident who would follow the Messenger from who would turn back on his heels. And indeed, it is difficult except for those whom Allāh has guided. And never would Allāh have caused you to lose your faith [i.e., your previous prayers]. Indeed Allāh is, to the people, Kind and Merciful.
قَالُوا۟ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
They said, "Thus has said your Lord; indeed, He is the Wise, the Knowing."
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it [i.e., punishment] would have been an obligation [due immediately], and [if not for] a specified term [decreed].