أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِيَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 86
Translations
Do they not see that We made the night that they may rest therein and the day giving sight? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Alam yaraw anna jaalna allayla liyaskunu fih wa alnnihara mubsira. Inna fi dhalika laayatin liqawmin yu'minun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the alternation of night and day as clear signs of Allah's wisdom and power, where night is created for rest and tranquility while day provides light for sight and activity. Ibn Kathir notes that this rhythmic cycle demonstrates divine providence and care for human needs, serving as evidence of Allah's existence and planning. Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that these signs are particularly meaningful for believers who reflect upon creation and recognize the divine wisdom embedded in natural phenomena.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Naml, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes signs of Allah throughout creation. It is part of a broader Quranic theme addressing the polytheists of Mecca who denied Allah's oneness despite the evident signs in nature. The surah uses observable natural phenomena to invite reflection and belief.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). More directly related: 'Look at the creation of Allah. As you see, He created you in stages over fifty thousand years' (Sahih Muslim 2789), encouraging reflection on divine creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers are invited to observe the carefully ordered natural world—the cycle of night and day—as evidence of Allah's perfect design and care for human welfare. This encourages developing awareness of divine signs in daily life and using such reflections to strengthen faith and gratitude.
Related Ayahs
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favor of Allāh that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ تَفْصِيلًا
And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَـٰهَا
And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."