فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ 5
Translations
So let man observe from what he was created.
Transliteration
Fal-yanzuri al-insanu mimma khuliq
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands humanity to reflect upon and contemplate the origins of their creation, as a means to recognize divine wisdom and power. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as an invitation to ponder the miraculous nature of human creation—from humble origins (nutfah - a drop of semen) to a fully formed being—as evidence of Allah's majesty and as motivation for gratitude and obedience. This ayah serves as a powerful reminder that understanding our origin naturally leads to acknowledgment of our Creator.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tariq is a Meccan surah revealed during a period when the Quraysh rejected the message of the Prophet (ﷺ). The surah emphasizes signs of Allah's creation and power as proofs of His existence and the reality of the Day of Judgment. This particular ayah contextualizes human creation within the broader theme of divine creation and cosmic order presented in the surah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, 'Ponder upon the creation of Allah, but do not ponder about the essence of Allah' (Sunan Ibn Majah 181) directly encourages reflection on creation as a spiritual practice.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that pausing to reflect upon the miracle of human existence—from conception to birth—is a pathway to strengthening faith and deepening our relationship with Allah. In our modern age of distraction, we are reminded to reconnect with wonder about our origins as a spiritual discipline that naturally inclines the heart toward gratitude and submission.