۞ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْقَدِيرُ 54
Translations
Allāh is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent.
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi khalaqakum min da'fin thumma ja'ala min ba'di da'fin quwwatan thumma ja'ala min ba'di quwwatin da'fan wa-shayban. Yakhluqu ma yasha'u wa-huwa al-'alimul-qadir.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the cycle of human weakness and strength throughout life: Allah creates humans in a state of weakness (infancy), then grants them strength (youth and adulthood), then returns them to weakness in old age with gray hair. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse demonstrates Allah's complete mastery over creation and His knowledge of all stages of human development, emphasizing that all transformations occur by His will and power alone.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rum was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period. This ayah appears within the broader context of the surah's discussion of Allah's signs in creation and the natural world. It serves as an evidence of Allah's power and wisdom, contrasting the weakness of human creation with the omnipotence of the Creator.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). This relates to the ayah's mention of old age and shyness (shi'bah), reminding us of duties toward elderly parents. Additionally, Aisha reported that the Prophet said: 'The most complete believer in faith is the one with the best character' (Abu Dawud), reflecting the balance of strength and gentleness throughout life's stages.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us of our complete dependence on Allah throughout all stages of life, encouraging humility and gratitude. It also motivates compassion and respect for the elderly, as we recognize that weakness in old age is part of Allah's ordained cycle, and should inspire us to honor and care for our aging parents and elders.
Related Ayahs
لَوْ نَشَآءُ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ ٱلْأَخْضَرِ نَارًا فَإِذَآ أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ
[It is] He who made for you from the green tree, fire, and then from it you ignite.
۞ وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَـٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And if you are astonished, [O Muḥammad] - then astonishing is their saying, "When we are dust, will we indeed be [brought] into a new creation?" Those are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord, and those will have shackles upon their necks, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.
قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يَجْمَعُكُمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Say, "Allāh causes you to live, then causes you to die; then He will assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt, but most of the people do not know."