ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ 9
Translations
Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His [created] soul and made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect]; little are you grateful.
Transliteration
Thumma sawwahu wa nafakha feehi min roohih wa ja'ala lakumul-sam'a wa al-absara wa al-af'idah, qaleelan ma tashkuroon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the final stage of human creation, where Allah perfected the human form and breathed His spirit into it, granting humanity the faculties of hearing, sight, and intellect (the heart/mind). Ibn Kathir emphasizes that the 'ruh' (spirit) here is a divine gift that distinguishes humans and gives them consciousness and moral responsibility, while Al-Tabari notes that these three faculties are essential for perceiving divine signs and fulfilling one's purpose. The concluding phrase "qaleelan ma tashkuroon" (how little you are grateful) serves as a reminder of human ingratitude despite receiving such precious blessings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah As-Sajdah, a Meccan surah that emphasizes divine creation and the signs of Allah in the universe. The ayah is part of a broader passage (32:7-9) detailing the stages of human creation, responding to the polytheists' denial of resurrection and emphasizing that the Creator of humans in the womb is fully capable of resurrecting them.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character and manners' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Related to the intellect granted in this ayah, another hadith states: 'Verily, the first thing Allah created was the Pen' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), emphasizing the value of knowledge and intellect as divine gifts.
Themes
Key Lesson
Every human faculty—the ability to hear, see, and think—is a precious divine gift that demands gratitude and responsible use. The emphasis on our ingratitude should inspire believers to actively recognize and thank Allah for these blessings through proper conduct and moral awareness.