خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ يُكَوِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ عَلَى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ ٱلنَّهَارَ عَلَى ٱلَّيْلِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۗ أَلَا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُ 5
Translations
He created the heavens and earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.
Transliteration
Khalaqa as-samawati wa-al-arda bi-al-haqq. Yukawwiru al-layla ala an-nahari wa yukawwiru an-nahara ala al-layl. Wa sakhkhara ash-shams wa-al-qamar. Kullun yajri li-ajal musammá. Alá huwa al-aziz al-ghaffar.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's creation of the heavens and earth in truth and justice, illustrating His power through the alternation of night and day (rolling one over the other) and His subjugation of the sun and moon, each running on a predetermined course until an appointed term. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that 'yukawwir' (rolls/wraps) depicts the precise celestial mechanics ordained by Allah, demonstrating both His divine wisdom and absolute control over all creation. The ayah concludes by affirming Allah's might (al-Aziz) and His forgiveness (al-Ghaffar), connecting cosmic order to divine attributes.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Az-Zumar, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes tawhid (monotheism) and Allah's supreme power. The surah's broader context addresses those who associate partners with Allah, and this particular ayah serves as evidence of Allah's singular dominion over the natural world, refuting polytheistic beliefs through reference to observable cosmic phenomena.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The sun and the moon do not eclipse due to the death of anyone, but these are signs from Allah' (Sahih Bukhari 1044). Additionally, the Quran itself in 14:33 states 'And He has subjected to you the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses,' which complements this ayah's theme of Allah's mastery over celestial bodies.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize Allah's meticulous design of the universe as evidence of His perfection and to find reassurance in the dependability of His creation, while acknowledging that such cosmic precision reflects divine wisdom meant to humble human hearts and encourage submission to the All-Mighty and All-Forgiving.