مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ 46
Translations
From a sperm-drop when it is emitted
Transliteration
Min nutfatin idha tumna
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the creation of humans beginning from a small drop of fluid (nutfah) when it is ejected or placed. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as describing the initial stage of human creation from semen, emphasizing Allah's power to create the entire human being from such an insignificant beginning. The ayah highlights the miraculous nature of human development and serves as evidence of Allah's creative ability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Najm, which is a Meccan surah focused on affirming Allah's oneness and the reality of the Day of Judgment. The broader context (53:45-46) discusses Allah's creation of humans in pairs and their origin from a small drop, serving as a powerful argument against those who denied resurrection and the divine.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3208): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the stages of creation in the womb, stating that an angel is sent to the nutfah and the stages of development occur over 40-day periods. Also related is the hadith in Sahih Muslim (2643) describing how the child is formed in the womb through different stages.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to reflect on the humility of our beginning—from a mere drop—to recognize Allah's infinite power and wisdom, and to understand that the One who created us from nothing can certainly resurrect us, which should inspire gratitude, humility, and accountability in our daily lives.