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
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى ٱلنَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ
And those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, "Supplicate your Lord to lighten for us a day from the punishment."
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّمَا تَدْعُونَنِىٓ إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ دَعْوَةٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ مَرَدَّنَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ هُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ
Assuredly, that to which you invite me has no [response to a] supplication in this world or in the Hereafter; and indeed, our return is to Allāh, and indeed, the transgressors will be companions of the Fire.
وَقِهِمُ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ وَمَن تَقِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُۥ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day - You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment."
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ ۖ وَلَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ
The Day their excuse will not benefit the wrongdoers, and they will have the curse, and they will have the worst home [i.e., Hell].