تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا 90
Translations
The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation
Transliteration
Takādu as-samāwātu yatafaṭṭarna minhu wa-tanshaqqu al-arḍu wa-takhirru al-jibālu haddā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the cosmic reaction to the false attribution of children to Allah, emphasizing the severity of this grave sin. The heavens nearly split apart, the earth cracks, and the mountains crumble to dust from the weight of such an abominable claim. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as a figurative expression of how intolerable and absurd this blasphemy is to the very creation itself, illustrating the magnitude of ascribing partners or children to Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Maryam's refutation of Christian claims that Jesus is the son of God. The broader context (verses 88-98) addresses the audacity of those who dare claim that Allah has taken children or associates. This Meccan surah was revealed during the period when the polytheists and People of the Book were actively challenging Islamic monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Bukhari where Allah says, 'No one is more patient with hearing harmful words than Allah; they attribute children to Him, yet He still provides for them.' Additionally, the general principle in Sahih Muslim regarding shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the gravest sin reflects this ayah's severity.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the utmost seriousness of maintaining pure monotheism and the absolute incompatibility of attributing human qualities or offspring to Allah. It serves as a powerful deterrent against any form of shirk and invites reflection on how our statements and beliefs must align with the majesty and uniqueness of the Divine.
Related Ayahs
۞ فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا
So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.
جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَأْتِيًّا
[Therein are] gardens of perpetual residence which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise has ever been eminent.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَآ أَخَاهُ هَـٰرُونَ نَبِيًّا
And We gave him out of Our mercy his brother Aaron as a prophet.
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt [Allāh] in the morning and afternoon.