يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ ٱلصُّلْبِ وَٱلتَّرَآئِبِ 7
Translations
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Transliteration
Yakhruju min bayna as-sulbi wa at-taraa'ib
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the origin of human creation, specifically the fluid (nutfah) that emerges from between the backbone (sulb) of the man and the ribs (taraa'ib) of the woman. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as describing the biological source of human reproduction in anatomically precise terms, emphasizing Allah's perfect design in human creation. The ayah underscores the miraculous nature of human genesis and serves as evidence of divine power and wisdom.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tariq is a Meccan surah that emphasizes the signs of Allah's power and creation. This ayah appears within the context of verses 5-7 that describe the creation of humans from a small drop of fluid, reinforcing one of the Quran's major themes of reflecting on the marvels of human creation as proof of Allah's existence and omnipotence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Each one of you is created in the womb of his mother for forty days as a nutfah (drop), then as an alaqah (clot) for forty days, then as a mudghah (lump) for forty days' (Sahih Bukhari 3208). This hadith elaborates on the stages of human development referenced in the Quranic verses about creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Reflecting on the miraculous nature of human creation—from a tiny drop emerging from specific points in the parents' bodies to a fully formed human—should inspire awe for Allah's wisdom and deepen our gratitude for the gift of life and existence.