أَوَلَيْسَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِقَـٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُم ۚ بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ ٱلْخَلَّـٰقُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ 81
Translations
Is not He who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the likes of them? Yes, [it is so]; and He is the Knowing Creator.
Transliteration
Awa laysa alladhi khalaqa as-samawati wa-al-arda biqadirin ala an yakhluqa mithlahum. Bala wa huwa al-Khallaqu al-Aleem.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah powerfully affirms Allah's absolute ability to resurrect the dead, asserting that the One who created the heavens and earth with all their vastness and complexity is certainly capable of recreating human beings. The rhetorical question (istifham inkarī) emphasizes the logical impossibility of denying Allah's power to resurrect, especially when His creation of the universe demonstrates His infinite capability. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this ayah addresses those who rejected the resurrection, using the greater creation (heavens and earth) as evidence for the lesser (human resurrection).
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ya-Sin's discussion of the resurrection and the hereafter, specifically responding to the deniers of resurrection (al-mushrikūn) in Meccan society. The surah addresses their skepticism about the possibility of being brought back to life after death, positioning resurrection as a logical consequence of Allah's omnipotence demonstrated through creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Allah will gather the people on the Day of Resurrection, and they will stand until they are distressed by their position, and then they will look for someone to intercede for them.' (Sahih Bukhari 4476). Additionally, the Quran states in Surah Al-Ankabut (29:20): 'Say, 'Travel through the land and observe how He began creation,' which relates to the theme of recognizing Allah's power through His creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as we witness Allah's infinite power in the creation of the vast universe, we should strengthen our conviction in His ability to resurrect us on the Day of Judgment. This ayah invites believers to reflect on the natural world as evidence of divine capability and to overcome doubts about the afterlife through rational contemplation of creation.