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
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَـٰمَـٰنَ وَقَـٰرُونَ فَقَالُوا۟ سَـٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ
To Pharaoh, Hāmān and Qārūn, but they said, "[He is] a magician and a liar."
رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ ۖ وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍۭ بِرَسُولِهِمْ لِيَأْخُذُوهُ ۖ وَجَـٰدَلُوا۟ بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا۟ بِهِ ٱلْحَقَّ فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ
The people of Noah denied before them and the [disbelieving] factions after them, and every nation intended [a plot] for their messenger to seize him, and they disputed by [using] falsehood to [attempt to] invalidate thereby the truth. So I seized them, and how [terrible] was My penalty.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ ٱلْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَٱغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.