وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَٰنِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّلْعَـٰلِمِينَ 22
Translations
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.
Transliteration
Wa min ayatihi khalqu as-samawati wa al-ardi wa ikhtilāfu alsinatikum wa alwānikum. Inna fi dhālika la-āyātin li al-ālimīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the creation of the heavens and earth, along with the diversity of human languages and colors, as signs (āyāt) of Allah's power and wisdom. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that these visible variations demonstrate Allah's creative ability and serve as evidence for the wise design of creation, particularly addressing those with knowledge ('al-ālimīn') who can perceive and reflect upon these signs. The ayah refutes fatalistic or deterministic views by highlighting how Allah's will manifests in the remarkable diversity within an ordered creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rum is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period when Muslims were facing ridicule for their monotheistic beliefs. This ayah appears within a passage addressing the signs of Allah's existence and oneness, serving as evidence against polytheism and encouraging reflection on the natural world as proof of divine creation.
Related Hadiths
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Every child is born in a state of fitrah (natural disposition toward monotheism), but his parents make him Jewish, Christian, or Magian' (Sahih Bukhari 1385). This hadith relates to the theme of human diversity mentioned in the ayah. Additionally, the hadith about the creation of the fetus in Sahih Muslim connects to reflection on Allah's creative signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to contemplate the natural world—including human diversity in language and appearance—as evidence of Allah's existence and wisdom, encouraging intellectual engagement with faith rather than blind acceptance. The emphasis on 'al-ālimīn' (those with knowledge) suggests that deeper understanding of creation strengthens one's conviction and should promote appreciation for human diversity as part of divine design.