وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَمَا مَسَّنَا مِن لُّغُوبٍ 38
Translations
And We did certainly create the heavens and earth and what is between them in six days, and there touched Us no weariness.
Transliteration
Wa laqad khalaqna as-samawati wa-l-arda wa ma baynahuma fi sittati ayyamin wa ma massana min lughubin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah created the heavens, the earth, and everything between them in six days without experiencing any fatigue or exhaustion (lughubin). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this statement refutes the Christian claim of creation in six days followed by divine rest on the seventh, asserting instead that Allah's creation was effortless and His power is absolute. The mention of six days is presented as a matter of divine wisdom and order, not necessity, since Allah is beyond tiredness or limitation.
Revelation Context
Surah Qaf is a Meccan surah addressing the Meccan polytheists' doubts about resurrection and divine power. This particular ayah appears in a section emphasizing Allah's complete ability and knowledge, serving as a response to those who denied the Quran's message. The context reinforces monotheistic doctrine against those who associated partners with Allah or denied His attributes.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3191) narrated from Abu Hurayrah reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Allah created all things in six days' and further explained the divine order of creation. Additionally, the hadith addressing the 'Day of Rest' emphasizes that Allah does not experience fatigue—a concept directly related to the negation of 'lughubin' in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah's creative acts are expressions of perfect power and wisdom, not products of labor or necessity, which should strengthen our faith in His ability to resurrect humanity and judge all actions. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to submit to divine will with confidence, knowing that the Creator of such a vast universe is fully capable of managing our individual lives and destinies.
Related Ayahs
ٱللَّهُ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Allāh begins creation; then He will repeat it; then to Him you will be returned.
فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا
And He will leave it [i.e., the earth] a level plain;
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَـٰعِلِينَ
The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.
فَالِقُ ٱلْإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ ٱلَّيْلَ سَكَنًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ حُسْبَانًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
[He is] the cleaver of daybreak and has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.