هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ 67
Translations
It is He who made for you the night to rest therein and the day, giving sight. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhee jaala lakumu allayla litaskunoo feehi wa alnnahara mubsiran. Inna fee dhaalika la-ayatin liqawmin yasmaoon.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is the One who created the night for rest and tranquility for His servants, and the day for sight and activity, demonstrating His perfect wisdom and care for human needs. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this alternation of night and day is a sign of Allah's divine power and provision, while Al-Tabari notes that 'mubsiran' (giving sight/clarity) refers to the day's illumination enabling vision and work. These signs are meant for those who truly listen and reflect upon Allah's creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the Meccan period of Surah Yunus, which focuses on refuting idolatry and establishing the oneness of Allah through signs in creation. The surah addresses the polytheists of Mecca by directing their attention to the natural phenomena around them as evidence of Allah's sole creation and lordship. This particular ayah is part of a broader theme highlighting Allah's blessings and creative acts.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who have the best character,' and he frequently drew attention to signs in creation. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet emphasized the importance of reflecting upon creation: 'Reflect upon everything except the essence of Allah (Dhaat).'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize Allah's deliberate design in the cycle of night and day as a mercy and sign for our well-being, inviting us to pause and reflect on the divine order rather than take these blessings for granted. In our modern busy lives, it reminds us to honor rest and sleep as blessed necessities rather than obstacles to productivity.
Related Ayahs
وَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل لِّى عَمَلِى وَلَكُمْ عَمَلُكُمْ ۖ أَنتُم بَرِيٓـُٔونَ مِمَّآ أَعْمَلُ وَأَنَا۠ بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
And if they deny you, [O Muḥammad], then say, "For me are my deeds, and for you are your deeds. You are disassociated from what I do, and I am disassociated from what you do."
هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
He gives life and causes death, and to Him you will be returned.
بَلْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيطُوا۟ بِعِلْمِهِۦ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Rather, they have denied that which they encompass not in knowledge and whose interpretation has not yet come to them. Thus did those before them deny. Then observe how was the end of the wrongdoers.
قُل لَّوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَلَوْتُهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَآ أَدْرَىٰكُم بِهِۦ ۖ فَقَدْ لَبِثْتُ فِيكُمْ عُمُرًا مِّن قَبْلِهِۦٓ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Say, "If Allāh had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I had remained among you a lifetime before it. Then will you not reason?"