إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًا مِّن طِينٍ 71
Translations
[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.
Transliteration
Idh qala rabbuka lil-mala'ikati inni khaliqun basharan min tin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah marks the beginning of Allah's announcement to the angels of His decision to create humanity from clay. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement preceded the creation of Adam and served as a divine declaration of His sovereign will. The mention of 'tin' (clay) emphasizes the humble material origin of mankind, contrasting human creation with that of angels who were created from light, thereby establishing the ontological distinction between the two creations while demonstrating Allah's absolute creative power.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within Surah Sad, a Meccan chapter that addresses the disbelief of the Quraysh and provides narratives of previous prophets. The broader context (38:71-85) recounts the creation of Adam and Iblis's subsequent disobedience, serving as a rebuke to those who deny Allah's signs and as a warning against arrogance and rejection of divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
In Sahih Muslim, it is reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah created Adam in His image, with his height being sixty cubits. Additionally, Sunan Ibn Majah records that humans were created from clay, linking to the physical and spiritual dimensions of human creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that despite humanity's humble material origins, we possess inherent dignity by virtue of being created by Allah's will and design. It should inspire humility before our Creator while simultaneously affirming our special status in creation and encouraging us to fulfill our purpose as Allah's vicegerents on earth.