أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ 19
Translations
Have you not seen [i.e., considered] that Allāh created the heavens and the earth in truth? If He wills, He can do away with you and produce a new creation.
Transliteration
Alam tara anna Allaha khalaqa as-samawati wa-al-arda bi-al-haqq. In yasha yuzhibkum wa-ya'ti bi-khalqin jadid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah invites reflection on Allah's creation of the heavens and earth with purpose and truth, emphasizing His absolute power and sovereignty. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a reminder that just as Allah created all existence, He possesses complete authority to destroy humanity and replace them with a new creation—a profound statement about divine omnipotence and human accountability. The phrase 'bi-al-haqq' (with truth/justice) underscores that creation is not arbitrary but purposeful, serving as a foundation for the ethical and moral order established by Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ibrahim, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet's message. The broader context of the surah addresses the rejection of the Message and encourages believers to reflect on signs of Allah's power. This particular verse follows warnings to the disbelievers and serves to remind them of Allah's ultimate power and their dependence upon Him.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most loved words to Allah are four: Subhan'Allah, wa al-hamdu lillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu akbar' (Sahih Muslim 2137), which connects to contemplating Allah's majesty as emphasized in this ayah. Additionally, the Prophet emphasized reflection on creation: 'Deliberate upon the creation of Allah, but do not deliberate upon the Essence of Allah' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3324).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah calls believers to humble recognition of Allah's absolute power and to use reflection on creation as a means of strengthening faith and moral consciousness. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that material existence and earthly attachments are temporary, encouraging focus on spiritual priorities and accountability to the Creator.