ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِىٓ أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ ۚ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 1
Translations
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Al-hamdu lillahi fatiri as-samawati wa-al-ardi jaaili al-malaaikati rusulun uli ajnihatin mathna wa-thulatha wa-rubaa. Yazidu fi al-khalqi ma yashaa. Inna Allaha ala kulli shay'in qadeer.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Fatir praises Allah as the Creator of the heavens and earth, and mentions that He made the angels as messengers with wings—some with two, three, or four wings—and that He increases in creation whatever He wills. Ibn Kathir explains that this comprehensive description demonstrates Allah's absolute power and creative wisdom, while Al-Tabari emphasizes that the wings of angels are among the signs of Allah's greatness and the vastness of His creation. The concluding affirmation of Allah's omnipotence (qadir) reinforces that no limitation exists in His creative ability.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period to strengthen the faith of Muslims facing polytheist opposition. This opening ayah sets the theological foundation by establishing Allah's unique attributes as Creator and establishes His absolute power, providing comfort and certainty to believers about Allah's dominion over all creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Gabriel has 600 wings' (Sahih Bukhari, hadith 3236), directly relating to the mention of angels' wings in this ayah. Additionally, 'Every created thing glorifies Allah with His praise' (Sahih Muslim, hadith 717) connects to the theme of universal praise of the Creator.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize Allah's absolute creative power and unique nature as the sole Creator, which should inspire gratitude and submission to His will. It also reminds us that the vastness of creation—from the celestial beings to the invisible realms—is a testament to Allah's infinite wisdom and capability.