وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنَّكَ تَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ خَـٰشِعَةً فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 39
Translations
And of His signs is that you see the earth stilled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Wa min ayatihi annaka tara al-arda khashi'atan fa-idha anzalna alayha al-maa ihtazzat wa rabit. Inna allathi ahyaha lamuhi al-mawta. Innahu ala kulli shay'in qadir.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the resurrection of dead earth through rainfall as a sign (ayah) of Allah's power and a metaphor for the resurrection of the dead on the Day of Judgment. When rain descends upon barren, lifeless land, it suddenly becomes vibrant and fertile—demonstrating that He who can revive the earth can certainly revive the dead. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir emphasize this connection as a clear proof of Allah's absolute power (qudrah) and His ability to bring all creation back to life after death.
Revelation Context
Surah Fussilat is a Meccan chapter addressing the disbelievers of Mecca who denied the resurrection. This ayah contextually responds to their doubts about the possibility of resurrection by directing them to observe the natural world around them—a phenomenon they witness annually. The surah uses observable signs (ayat) from creation to convince the deniers of Allah's oneness and His power over all things.
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'When Allah intends good for His people, He sends them abundant rain.' This relates to the ayah's mention of water reviving the earth. Additionally, in various hadiths, the Prophet emphasized contemplating creation as evidence of the Resurrection, aligning with this ayah's argumentative purpose.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to observe the natural world as a reflection of Divine power and to recognize that just as Allah revives dead earth with water, He will resurrect all souls on the Day of Judgment—inviting us to live with accountability and spiritual awareness.
Related Ayahs
إِذْ جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلرُّسُلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّنَا لَأَنزَلَ مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً فَإِنَّا بِمَآ أُرْسِلْتُم بِهِۦ كَـٰفِرُونَ
[That occurred] when the messengers had come to them before them and after them, [saying], "Worship not except Allāh." They said, "If our Lord had willed, He would have sent down the angels, so indeed we, in that with which you have been sent, are disbelievers."
فَقَضَىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَاتٍ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِى كُلِّ سَمَآءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَحِفْظًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired [i.e., made known] in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars, for beauty] and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.
وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَآءُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ
And [mention, O Muḥammad], the Day when the enemies of Allāh will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven], assembled in rows,
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱلذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَكِتَـٰبٌ عَزِيزٌ
Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] after it has come to them... And indeed, it is a mighty Book.