لَخَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 57
Translations
The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.
Transliteration
Lakhalqu as-samawati wa-al-ardi akbaru min khalqi an-nasi wa-lakinna akthara an-nasi la ya'lamun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah asserts that the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater and more magnificent than the creation of mankind, yet most people lack the knowledge or awareness to comprehend this truth. Ibn Kathir explains this as a reminder of Allah's supreme power and the relative insignificance of human creation compared to the vastness of the cosmos, while Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this statement aims to humble human pride and redirect focus toward Allah's incomparable grandeur.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ghafir (a Meccan surah) within the context of refuting polytheism and reminding the Quraysh of Allah's overwhelming power and creativity. The broader thematic context addresses the disbelievers' arrogance and their denial of resurrection and divine signs, using the argument that if Allah can create the heavens and earth, He can certainly resurrect humans.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The most perfect believer in faith is the one whose character is the best.' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, 'Glorify Allah in the morning and evening' (An-Nasa'i) relates to recognizing Allah's creation and greatness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to cultivate humility by recognizing the vastness of Allah's creation and their own comparative smallness, encouraging contemplation of the universe as evidence of divine wisdom. For modern readers, it serves as an antidote to materialism and human-centered worldviews, inviting deeper reflection on one's place in the cosmos and dependence upon the Creator.
Related Ayahs
أَسْبَـٰبَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّى لَأَظُنُّهُۥ كَـٰذِبًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَصُدَّ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِى تَبَابٍ
The ways into the heavens - so that I may look at the deity of Moses; but indeed, I think he is a liar." And thus was made attractive to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he was averted from the [right] way. And the plan of Pharaoh was not except in ruin.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَـٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ ضَلُّوا۟ عَنَّا بَل لَّمْ نَكُن نَّدْعُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ شَيْـًٔا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Other than Allāh?" They will say, "They have departed from us; rather, we did not used to invoke previously anything." Thus does Allāh put astray the disbelievers.
ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا ۖ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ
The Fire; they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], "Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment."