[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Friday, September 12, 2025

No Changing Allah's Words

...

The Cave (18:27)


وَٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلْتَحَدًۭا ٢٧


Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book of your Lord. None can change His Words, nor can you find any refuge besides Him.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran


And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no one to change His words, and you will never find a refuge beside Him.

— T. Usmani


And recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His words, and never will you find in other than Him a refuge.

— Saheeh International


 27. And recite what has been revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of the Book (the Qur’ân) of your Lord (i.e. recite it, understand and follow its teachings and act on its orders and preach it to men). None can change His Words, and none will you find as a refuge other than Him.

— Al-Hilali & Khan


[Prophet], follow what has been revealed to you of your Lord’s Scripture: there is no changing His words, nor can you find any refuge except with Him.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem


(O Prophet),1 recite to them from the Book of your Lord what has been revealed to you for none may change His words; (and were you to make any change in His words) you will find no refuge from Him.2

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]After relating the story of the sleepers of the cave, the Quran begins to review the condition of the Muslims of Makkah at the time of the revelation of the Surah.

[2]This does not mean at all that, God forbid, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was inclined to make any changes in the Quran to please the disbelievers of Makkah and was thinking of some formula of compromise with the chiefs of the Quraish which necessitated a warning that he was not authorized to do so. As a matter of tact, though this was apparently addressed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), it was really meant for the disbelievers that they should not entertain any hope whatsoever for anything like this, as if to say: You must understand it once and for all that Our Messenger is not authorized to make any changes in Our revelation, for he has to precisely convey it just as it is sent down to him. If you want to accept it, you will have to accept it in its entirety as it is being sent by the Lord of the Universe. And if you want to reject it, you may do so but you must understand it well that no modification, even in the least, will be made in it to please you. This was the answer to the repeated demand of the disbelievers: If you do insist, O Muhammad (peace be upon him), that we should accept your message in its entirety, then make certain modifications in it to accommodate some creeds and customs of our forefathers, and we will accept your message. This is our offer for a compromise and this will save our people from divsion. This demand of the disbelievers has been cited in the Quran at several places and the same answer has been given, e.g. When Our clear revelations are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet Us, say: Bring another Quran in its stead or make some amendments in it. (Surah Younus, Ayat 15).


And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Scripture of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him.

— M. Pickthall


And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him.

— A. Yusuf Ali


اے نبی تمہارے رب کی کتاب میں سے جو کچھ تم پر وحی کیا گیا ہے اسے (جوں کا توں) سنا دو ، کوئی اس کے فرمودات کو بدل دینے کا مجاز نہیں ہے (اور اگر تم کسی کی خاطر اس میں ردو بدل کرو گے تو) اس سے بچ کر بھاگنے کے لئے کوئی جائے پناہ نہ پائو گے۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an


اے نبیؐ 1، تمہارے ربّ کی کتاب میں سے جو کچھ تم پر وحی کیا گیا ہے اسے (جُوں کا تُوں)سُنا دو، کوئی اُس کے فرمودات کو بدل دینے کا مجاز نہیں ہے، (اور اگر تم کسی کی خاطر اس میں ردّو بدل کرو گے تو)اُس سے بچ کر بھاگنے کے لیے کوئی جائے پناہ نہ پاوٴ گے۔2

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]اس کا  یہ مطلب نہیں ہے کہ معاذاللہ اس وقت نبی صلی اللہ علیہ و سلم کفار مکہ کی خاطر  قرآن میں کچھ رد و بدل کر دینے اور سرداران قریش سے کچھ کم و بیش پر مصالحت کر لینے  کی سوچ رہے تھے اور اللہ تعالیٰ آپ کو اس سے منع فرما رہا تھا۔ بلکہ در اصل اس میں  روئے سخن کفار مکہ کی طرف ہے اگرچہ خطاب بظاہر نبی صلی اللہ علیہ و سلم سے ہے۔  مقصود کفار کو یہ بتانا ہے کہ محمد صلی اللہ علیہ و سلم خدا کے کلام میں اپنی طرف  سے کوئی کمی یا بیشی کرنے کے مجاز نہیں ہیں۔ ان کا کام بس یہ ہے کہ جو کچھ خدا نے نازل  کیا ہے اسے بے کم و کاست پہنچا دیں۔ تمہیں ماننا ہے تو اس پورے دین کو جوں کا توں مانو  جو خداوند عالم کی طرف سے پیش کیا جا رہا ہے۔ اور نہیں ماننا تو شوق سے نہ مانو۔  مگر یہ امید کسی حال میں نہ رکھو کہ تمہیں راضی کرنے کے لیے اس دین میں تمہاری  خواہشات کے مطابق کوئی ترمیم کی جائے گی، خواہ وہ کیسی ہی جزوی سی ترمیم ہو۔ یہ  جواب ہے اس مطالبے کا جو کفار کی طرف سے بار بار کیا جاتا تھا کہ ایسی بھی کیا ضد ہے  کہ ہم تمہاری پوری بت مان لیں۔ آخر کچھ تو ہمارے آبائی دین کے عقائد اور رسم و  رواج کی رعایت ملحوظ رکھو۔ کچھ تم ہماری مان لو، کچھ ہم تمہاری مان لیں۔ اس پر  سمجھوتہ ہو سکتا ہے اور برادری پھوٹ سے بچ سکتی ہے۔ قرآن میں ان کے اس مطالبے کا  متعدد مواقع پر ذکر کیا گیا ہے اور اس کا یہ جواب دیا گیا ہے۔ مثال کے طور پر سورہ  یونس کی آیت 15 ملاحظہ ہو :وَ اِذَا تُتْلیٰ عَلَیْہِمْ اٰیٰتُنَا بَیِّنٰتتٍ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ  لایَرْجُوْنَ لِقَآئَ نَا ائْتِ بِقُرْاٰنٍ غَیْرِ ھٰذَآ اَوْ بَدِّلْہُ۔ ’’ جب ہماری آیات صاف صاف ان کو سنائی جاتی ہیں تو  وہ لوگ جو کبھی ہمارے سامنے حاضر ہونے کی توقع نہیں رکھتے ، کہتے ہیں کہ اس کے بجائے  کوئی اور قرآن لاؤ یا اس میں کچھ ترمیم کرو‘‘۔

[2]اصحاب  کہف کا قصہ ختم کرنے کے بعد اب یہاں سے دوسرا مضمون شروع ہو رہا ہے اور اس میں ان  حالات پر تبصرہ ہے جو اس وقت مکہ میں مسلمانوں کو در پیش تھے۔


تیری جانب جو تیرے رب کی کتاب وحی کی گئی ہے اسے پڑھتا ره[1] ، اس کی باتوں کو کوئی بدلنے واﻻ نہیں تو اس کے سوا ہرگزکوئی پناه کی جگہ نہ پائے گا.[2]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]ویسے تو یہ حکم عام ہے کہ جس چیز کی بھی وحی آپ کی طرف کی جائے، اس کی تلاوت فرمائیں اور لوگوں کو اس کی تعلیم دیں۔ لیکن اصحاب کہف کے قصے کے خاتمے پر اس حکم سے مراد یہ بھی ہو سکتا ہے کہ اصحاب کہف کے بارے میں لوگ جو چاہیں، کہتے پھریں۔ لیکن اللہ تعالٰی نے اس کے بارے میں اپنی کتاب میں جو کچھ اور جتنا کچھ بیان فرما دیا ہے، وہی صحیح ہے، وہی لوگوں کو پڑھ کر سنا دیجئے، اس سے زیادہ دیگر باتوں کی طرف دھیان نہ دیجئے۔

[2]یعنی اگر اسے بیان کرنے سے گریز و انحراف کیا، یا اس کے کلمات میں تغیر و تبدیلی کی کوشش کی، تو اللہ سے آپ کو بچانے والا کوئی نہیں ہوگا۔ خطاب اگرچہ نبی (صلى الله عليه وسلم) سے ہے، لیکن اصل مخاطب امت ہے۔


اور اپنے پروردگار کی کتاب جو تمہارے پاس بھیجی جاتی ہے پڑھتے رہا کرو۔ اس کی باتوں کو کوئی بدلنے والا نہیں۔ اور اس کے سوا تم کہیں پناہ کی جگہ بھی نہیں پاؤ گے

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari


اور (اے نبی !) آپ تلاوت کیجیے جو آپ کی طرف وحی کی گئی ہے آپ کے رب کی کتاب میں سے اس کی باتوں کو بدلنے والا کوئی نہیں ہے اور آپ نہیں پائیں گے اس کے سوا کوئی جائے پناہ

— ((بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)


اور پڑھ جو وحی ہوئی تجھ کو تیرے رب کی کتاب سے کوئی بدلنے والا نہیں اسکی باتیں اور کہیں نہ پائے گا تو اس کے سوائے چھپنے کو جگہ [1]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو تلاوت وحی کا حکم:پہلے  'اصحاب کہف کے قصہ پر فرمایا تھا فَلَا تُمَارِفِیۡہِمۡ  اِلَّا مِرَآءً  ظَاہِرًا ۪ وَّ لَا تَسۡتَفۡتِ  فِیۡہِمۡ  مِّنۡہُمۡ   اَحَدًا مطلب یہ ہےکہ بیکار چیزوں میں زیادہ الجھنے اور کاوش کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔ آپ اپنے فرض منصبی کی انجام دہی میں مشغول رہئے۔ یعنی جو جامع و مانع اور کافی و شافی کتاب تیرے رب نے مرحمت فرمائی۔ اسے پڑھ کر سناتے رہئے۔ خدا نے جو باتیں اس میں سنائیں اور جو وعدے کئےکوئی طاقت نہیں جو انہیں بدل یا ٹال سکے یا غلط ثابت کر سکے ۔ اگر کوئی ان باتوں کو بدلنے کے درپے ہو گا یا اس کتاب کےحقوق ادا کرنے میں کوتاہی کرے گا وہ خوب سمجھ لے کہ خدا کے مجرم کے لئے کہیں پناہ نہیں۔ ہاں وفاداروں کو پناہ دینے کے لئے اس کی رحمت وسیع ہے ۔ دیکھ لو 'اصحاب کہف' کو جو خدا کی باتوں پر جمے رہے ، کیسی اچھی جگہ اپنے فضل سے عنایت فرمائی۔


اور تمھارے رب کی جو کتاب تم پر وحی کی جارہی ہے اس کو سناؤ، خدا کی باتوں کو کوئی بدلنے والا نہیں  اور اس کے سوا تم کوئی پناہ نہیں پاسکتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan


Aey Nabi! Tumhare Rubb ki kitaab mein se kuch tum par wahee(revelation) kiya gaya hai usye ( jun ka too /exactly) suna do. Koi uske farmudaat ko badal dene ka mijaz nahin hai, ( aur agar tum kisi ki khatir is mein radd o badal karogey to) ussey bachkar bhaagne ke liye koi jaye panaah na paogey

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

[https://quran.com/18/27]


لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِ

Surah alKahf is the centre most surah (word-wise (Q18:19:34 (وَلۡيَتَلَطَّفۡ))) in The Quran. The word advises 'caution' against the disbelievers, ...

Allah has created this world for just ends, and has written its story already. 

He has set certain tests, and there is no changing his words. 

The word (كَلِمَـٰتِهِ) has been used several times in The Quran, for example: 

  • Adam met some words (كَلِمَاتٍ) (Q2:37)
  • Abraham was tested with some words (بِكَلِمَاتٍ) (Q2:124
  • they were harmed till came the help of Allah, there is no changing His Words (لِكَلِمَاتِ) (Q6:34)
  • and the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice, there is none to change His Words (لِكَلِمَاتِهِ) He is Hearing, Knowing (Q6:115
  • so believe in Allah and His messenger, the 'ummi' prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words (وَكَلِمَاتِهِ), so you may be guided (Q7:158)
  • Allah intended to realise the truth with His Words (بِكَلِمَاتِهِ), and to eliminate the disbelievers (Q8:7
  • they will receive glad news in this life and the hereafter, there is no changing Allah's Words (لِكَلِمَاتِ), that is the mighty felicity (Q10:64
  • and Allah will establish the truth by His Words (بِكَلِمَاتِهِ), even though the criminals dislike it (Q10:82
  • there is no changer of His Words (لِكَلِمَاتِهِ) (Q18:27
  • if the sea were ink for the Words (لِكَلِمَاتِ) of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the Words (كَلِمَاتُ) of my Lord were exhausted, even if we brought the like of it to supplement it (Q18:109
  • if all the trees on Earth were pens, and the seas, with seven seas behind it to replenish, they would not suffice to record the Words (كَلِمَاتُ) of Allah, Allah is Might and Wise (Q31:27)
  • and Allah eliminates falsehood, and establishes the truth by His Words (بِكَلِمَاتِهِ) (Q40:24
  • and she accepted / confirmed / established the truth of the Words (بِكَلِمَاتِ) of her Lord (Q66:12

... 

So, going back to Surah alKahf (Q18:27), the word (كَلِمَـٰتِهِ) implies the tests and trials Allah has written in the script of this life so as to sift and separate the believers from the disbelievers, and to establish the truth, and to eliminate the disbelievers. 

Since there is no changing His Words, we need to hold firmly and take guidance from His Book. 

The world script will go on as it is meant to be: there will be tests of faith, wealth, knowledge, and power. The Believers who do small and big acts of reform, private and public acts of reform, will succeed. The Quran details the act(s) of reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا) we need to undertake to live by Allah's Commands. 

  







...







...



Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The Invisible Jinns

Iblis & his qabeela  


يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

O Children (of) Adam! (Let) not tempt you [the] Shaitaan as he drove out your parents from Paradise, stripping from both of them their clothing to show both of them their shame. Indeed, he sees you - he and his tribe from where not you see them. Indeed, We have made the devils friends of those who (do) not believe.
[Al-Quran 7:27]

The Quran states that the Satan (الشَّيْطَانُ) & his qabeela (وَقَبِيلُهُ) can see us from where we cannot see them. 

Earlier in the surah, The Quran informs us that he was made ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ 

قَالَ فَٱهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَٱخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ ١٣

[Al-Quran 7:13]

Most translators translate ٱلصَّـٰغِرِينَ as humiliated, disgraced, degraded etc. The root letters ص غ ر share words which mean small, humiliated, or reduced in power, as in being imprisoned (Q12:32), or removed from power (Q27:37). 

The Quran also informs us that he is رَجِيمٌ 

قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ
[Al-Quran 15:34]

قَالَ فَٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌۭ 
[Al-Quran 38:77]

Most translators translate رَجِيمٌ as outcast, rejected, expelled, etc. However, the root letters ر ج م share words which mean stoned, or pelted with stones. 

The Satan (الشَّيْطَانُ) being referred to in Q7:27 is Iblis. 
 
Iblis' story is narrated several times in The Quran. Iblis is mentioned by name in nine surahs, seven of which recount the story of his refusal to prostrate to Adam.  

Surah al-Kahf informs us that Iblis was from the Jinn. 

Jinns are ectotherms, as discussed in detail in جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn). The Bible informs us that the serpent in the garden was punished for his crime by losing his limbs, thus becoming a snake, as discussed in Adam's Fall in Genesis 3 in the light of The Quran

The middle word in the phrase وَقَبِيلُهُ has been translated by most of the translators as 'and his tribe'. 

According to Wikipedia, in Biology, a 'tribe' is [as on August 28, 2025]:
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank above genus, but below family and subfamily. 
Serpentes (snakes) is a suborder of Class Reptilia. Under the suborder Serpentes, snakes are further classified into several infraorder, families, and subfamilies.   

The following can be the possible explanations:
  1. So far thirty families of snakes of about four thousand species are recognised. Perhaps Iblis and his qabeela are a yet undiscovered family, genera or specie, or whatever is the correct classification for it, ... ?! 
  2. They remain undiscovered especially because they are invisible.  
  3. Snakes have a wide diversity of skin coloration patterns. This gives them an advantage to blend into the surroundings and escape unnoticed. So, they can see us, while we cannot see them. 
  4. Snakes can see infrared while we can see the visible spectrum.    
  5. Iblis and his qabeela are under constant danger of being pelted with stones, and thus are in hiding. 
  6. Iblis and his qabeela are in a realm that we cannot see, but they observe us from there. 


Looking up the words derived from the root letters of قَبِيلُ : 

The triliteral root qāf bā lām (ق ب ل) occurs 294 times in the Quran, in 13 derived forms. The words lend to the meanings of before, facing, face to face, approaching, acceptor, acceptance, direction of prayer, ... so (وَقَبِيلُهُ) 'and his tribe' could also mean those who are close to (الشَّيْطَانُ) 'the Shaitaan' forming the resistance against the true God (Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and his people. 


Jinns were part of the army of Prophet-King Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام). They built many things in his kingdom. They were there even in his court.  


The point is that not all jinns are invisible, but yes, Iblis and his qabeela, are hidden from us. 

Why is this even important? I think it is important so that we do not reject the literal reading of the scriptures based on one ayat, as many commentators insist that all jinn cannot be seen, quoting Q7:27.  

Iblis and his qabeela cannot be seen, and who knows what else has been hidden from us. 

We need to read the text of the divinely-revealed scriptures literally, accepting whatever it informs us as the truth, if we are going to learn from it. 




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Last updated on: August 29, 2025




Monday, August 18, 2025

Touching the Sky

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The Jinn (72:8)

وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ فَوَجَدْنَـٰهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا وَشُهُبًۭا ٨

˹Earlier˺ we tried to reach heaven ˹for news˺, only to find it filled with stern guards and shooting stars.[1]

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[1] Some jinn used to eavesdrop on the heaven, then pass on what they heard to fortune-tellers. But this practice came to an end once Muḥammad () was sent as a messenger with the Quran.


And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames.

— Saheeh International

 8. ‘And we have sought to reach the heaven; but found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

and that “we tried to pry (the secrets of) the heaven, but we found it full of terrible guards and shooting meteors”;

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

And (the Jinn who had listened to the Qur'an said): We had sought the heaven but had found it filled with strong warders and meteors.

— M. Pickthall

'And we pried into the secrets of heaven; but we found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.

— A. Yusuf Ali

[https://quran.com/72/8]


The Bible and The Quran inform us that the sky has been raised high. It is water with a barrier, a skin. 

The Jinns state, in the above ayat, that prior to the revelation of The Quran, they used to 'touch' (لَمَسْنَا) the sky. Looking at the usage of this word in The Quran, it is clear that it means 'to touch', particularly in terms of touching a skin (4:43:33 , 5:6:35) and/or touching with hands (6:7:7): 

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

So, shouldn't the translation of لَمَسْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ be 'we touched the sky' ?







Also read:

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Aged Clay

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The Rocky Tract (15:26)

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلْصَـٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ ٢٦

Indeed, We created man from sounding clay moulded from black mud.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Indeed We created man from a ringing clay made of decayed mud.

— T. Usmani

And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.

— Saheeh International

We created man out of dried clay formed from dark mud-

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

 26. And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

Surely We brought man into being out of dry ringing clay which was wrought from black mud,1

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]The Arabic word salsal means the dried clay which produces a sound like pottery.


Verily We created man of potter's clay of black mud altered,

— M. Pickthall

We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape;

— A. Yusuf Ali

ہم نے انسان کو سڑی ہوئی مٹی کے سوکھے گارے سے بنایا

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an

ہم نے انسان کو سڑی ہوئی مٹی کے سُوکھے گارے سے بنایا۔1

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یہاں قرآن اِس امر کی صاف تصریح کرتا ہے کہ انسان حیوانی منازل سے ترقی کرتا  ہوا بشریت کے حدود میں نہیں آیا ہے ، جیسا کہ نئے دَور کے ڈارونییت سے متاثر  مفسرینِ قرآن ثابت کرنے کی کوشش کررہے ہیں، بلکہ اُس کی تخلیق کی ابتداء براہِ  راست ارضی مادّوں سے ہوئی ہے کی کیفیت کو اللہ تعالیٰ نے  صَلْصَالٍ  مِّنْ حَمَأِ ٍ مَّسْنُوْنٍ  کے الفاظ میں بیان فرمایا ہے۔ حَمأ عربی زبان میں ایسی سیاہ کیچڑ کو کہتے ہیں جس کے اندر  بُو پیدا ہو چکی ہو ، یا بالفاظِ دیگر خمیر اُٹھ آیا ہو۔ مسنون کے دومعنی ہیں۔ ایک معنی ہیں متغیر، مُنتِن اور املس، یعنی ایسی سڑی ہوئی جس میں سڑنے کی وجہ سے چکنائی  پیدا ہو گئی ہو۔ دوسرے معنی میں مصوَّر  اور مصبوب ، یعنی قالب میں ڈھلی ہوئی جس کو ایک خاص صورت دے دی  گئی ہو۔ صلصال اُس سوکھے گارے کو کہتے ہیں  جو خشک ہو جانے کے بعد  بجنے گے۔ یہ الفاظ صاف ظاہر کرتے ہیں کہ خمیر  اُٹھی ہوئی مٹی کا ایک پُتلا بنایا گیا   تھا جو بننے کے بعد خشک ہوا اور   پھر اس کے اندر رُوح پھونکی گئی۔


یقیناً ہم نے انسان کو کالی اور سڑی ہوئی کھنکھناتی مٹی سے، پیدا فرمایا ہے.[1]

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]مٹی کی مختلف حالتوں کے اعتبار سے اس کے مختلف نام ہیں، خشک مٹی، تراب، بھیگی ہوئی طین، گوندھی ہوئی بدبودار «حَمَإٍ مَسْنُونٍ» یہ حَمَإٍ مَسْنُونٍ خشک ہو کر کھن کھن بولنے لگے تو صَلْصَالٍ اور جب آگ سے پکا لیا جائے تو فَخَّارٌ (ٹھیکری) کہلاتی ہے۔ یہاں اللہ تعالٰی نے انسان کی تخلیق کا جس طرح تذکرہ فرمایا ہے۔ اس سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ آدم خاکی کا پتلا حَمَأٍ مَسْنُونٌ (گوندھی ہوئی سڑی ہوئی، بدبودار) مٹی سے بنایا گیا، جب وہ سوکھ کر کھن کھن کرنے لگا (یعنی صلصال) ہو گیا۔ تو اس میں روح پھونکی گئی، اسی طرح صَلصَالِ کو قرآن میں دوسری جگہ كَالْفَخَّارِ (فخار کی ماند کہا گیا ہے «خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ كَالْفَخَّارِ» (الرحمن:14) ”پیدا کیا انسان کو کھنکھناتی مٹی سے جیسے ٹھیکرا“۔


اور ہم نے انسان کو کھنکھناتے سڑے ہوئے گارے سے پیدا کیا ہے

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

اور یقیناً ہم نے بنایا ہے انسان کو سنے ہوئے گارے کی کھنکھناتی ہوئی مٹی سے

— ((بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

اور بنایا ہم نے آدمی کو کھنکھناتے (بجنے والی مٹی سے) سنے (جو بنی ہے سڑے ہوئے گارے سے) ہوئے گارے سے[1]

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]قصہ آدم علیہ السلام و ابلیس:آیات آفاقیہ کے بعد بعض آیات انفسیہ کو بیان فرماتےہیں جس کے ضمن میں شاید یہ تنبیہ بھی مقصود ہے کہ جس ذات منبع الکمالات نے تم کو ایسے انوکھے طریقہ سے اول پیدا کیا ، دوبارہ پیدا کر کے ایک میدان میں جمع کر دینا کیا مشکل ہے ۔(تنبیہ)

آدمی کس قسم کی مٹی سے بنایا گیا:

آدمی کی پیدائش کے متعلق یہاں دو لفظ فرمائے ۔ 'صلصال' (بجنے والی کھنکھناتی مٹی جو آگ میں پکنے سے اس حالت کو پہنچتی ہے اسی کو دوسری جگہ 'کالفخار' فرمایا) اور حَمَاٍمَّسْنُوْنٍ (سڑا ہوا گارا جس سے بو آتی ہو) خیال یہ ہوتا ہے کہ اول سنے ہوئے گارے سے آدم کا پتلا تیار کیا ، پھر جب خشک ہو کر اور پک کر کھن کھن بجنے لگا ، تب مختلف تطورات کے بعد اس درجہ پر پہنچا کہ انسانی روح پھونکی جائے۔ روح المعانی میں بعض علماء کا قول نقل کیا ہے جس کے الفاظ یہ ہیں کَاَنَّہٗ سُبْحَانہٗ اَفْرَغَ الْحَمَاءَ فَصَوَّرَ مِنْ ذٰلِکَ تِمْثَالَ اِنْسَانٍ اَجْوَفَ فَیَبِسَ حَتّٰی اِذَا نُقِرَ صَوَّت ثُمَّ غَیَّرہٗ طَوْرًا بَعْدَ طَوْرٍ حَتّٰی نَفَخَ فِیْہِ مِنْ رُوْحِہٖ فَتَبَارَکَ اللّٰہُ اَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِیْنَ ۔ حضرت شاہ صاحبؒ لکھتے ہیں مٹی پانی میں ترکی اور خمیرا اٹھایا کہ کھن کھن بولنے لگی ، وہ ہی بدن ہوا انسان کا ۔ اس کی خاصیتیں سختی اور بوجھ اس میں رہ گئیں اسی طرح گرم ہوا کی خاصیت (حدت و خفت) جن کی پیدائش میں رہی۔ راغب اصفہانی نے ایک طویل مضمون کے ضمن میں متنبہ کیا ہے کہ حَمَاٍمَّسْنُوْنٍ اور 'طین لازب' وغیرہ الفاظ ظاہر کرتے ہیں کہ مٹی اور پانی کو ملا کر ہوا سے خشک کیا اور 'فخار' کا لفظ دلالت کرتا ہے کہ کسی درجہ میں آگ سے پکایا گیا یہ ہی ناری جز آدمی کی شیطنت کا منشاء ہے اسی مناسبت سےایک جگہ فرمایا خَلَقَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مِنۡ صَلۡصَالٍ کَالۡفَخَّارِ ۔ وَ  خَلَقَ  الۡجَآنَّ مِنۡ مَّارِجٍ  مِّنۡ نَّارٍ (الرحمٰن۔۱۴،۱۵) راغب کا یہ مضمون بہت طویل اور دلچسپ ہے ، افسوس ہے ہم اس کا خلاصہ بھی یہاں درج نہیں کر سکتے۔


Humne Insaan ko sadi (rotten) hui mitti ke sookhey gaarey (clay) se banaya

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

اور ہم نے انسان کو سنے ہوئے گارے کی کھنکھناتی مٹی سے پیدا کیا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/15/26]

Surah al-Hijr uses the term 'حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ' thrice: in Q15:26, quoted above, and then in Q15:28, and Q15:33. 

As can be seen from the various translations above, 'صَلْصَـٰلٍۢ' has been generally translated as clay, while 'حَمَإٍۢ' has been translated as mud. 

Clay is a type of soil particle. 

Mud is a mixture of soil and water. 

Google Arabic to English translates 'حَمَإٍ' as mud, and 'مَسْنُونٍ' as old: 


Surah al-Hijr informs us that water is sent to Earth from the Sky in measured amounts. 

Surah al-Hijr informs that 'الۡاِنۡسَانَ' have been created from 'صَلۡصَالٍ مِّنۡ حَمَاٍ مَّسۡنُوۡنٍ'.

Surah al-Hijr informs us that 'الۡجَـآنَّ' were created before humans from 'نَّارِ السَّمُوۡمِ‏'. 

From earlier posts, I understand that the 'الۡجَـآنَّ' are ectotherms, while 'الۡاِنۡسَانَ' are endotherms. 

Modern science also places the Age of Man after the Age of Reptiles

So, even though Humans (endotherms) have been created later that the Jaan (ectotherms), that does not mean that the material they have been created with is of lesser quality. In fact, it is aged mud, an aged clay, that was perfectly suited for the creation of endotherms, and so the choice of the material. All potters, and for that matter, all creators, know the importance of choosing the 'right material' for the 'right creation', so that the purpose of creation is properly and effectively served.  

Both Humans and Jaan have been created to worship their Lord:

The Winnowing Winds (51:56)

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ٥٦

[https://quran.com/51/56]

Both have the potential to be obedient slaves:

The Jinn (72:11)

وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدًۭا ١١

[https://quran.com/72/11]

Both have the free-will to choose whether to be obedient (Muslim) or not: 

The Jinn (72:13-17)

وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ ۖ فَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِرَبِّهِۦ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًۭا وَلَا رَهَقًۭا ١٣

وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا ٱلْقَـٰسِطُونَ ۖ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا۟ رَشَدًۭا ١٤

وَأَمَّا ٱلْقَـٰسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا۟ لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًۭا ١٥

وَأَلَّوِ ٱسْتَقَـٰمُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَـٰهُم مَّآءً غَدَقًۭا ١٦

لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِۦ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًۭا صَعَدًۭا ١٧

[https://quran.com/72/13-17]

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Excerpt from Surah al-Hijr:

 وَاِنۡ مِّنۡ شَىۡءٍ اِلَّا عِنۡدَنَا خَزَآٮِٕنُهٗ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهٗۤ اِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعۡلُوۡمٍ‏ ٢١ ​وَاَرۡسَلۡنَا الرِّيٰحَ لَوَاقِحَ فَاَنۡزَلۡنَا مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَاَسۡقَيۡنٰكُمُوۡهُ​ۚ وَمَاۤ اَنۡتُمۡ لَهٗ بِخٰزِنِيۡنَ‏ ٢٢ وَ اِنَّا لَــنَحۡنُ نُحۡىٖ وَنُمِيۡتُ وَنَحۡنُ الۡوٰرِثُوۡنَ‏ ٢٣ وَلَـقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا الۡمُسۡتَقۡدِمِيۡنَ مِنۡكُمۡ وَلَـقَدۡ عَلِمۡنَا الۡمُسۡتَـاْخِرِيۡنَ‏  ٢٤ وَاِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ​ؕ اِنَّهٗ حَكِيۡمٌ عَلِيۡمٌ‏ ٢٥ وَلَـقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ مِنۡ صَلۡصَالٍ مِّنۡ حَمَاٍ مَّسۡنُوۡنٍ​ۚ‏  ٢٦ وَالۡجَـآنَّ خَلَقۡنٰهُ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ مِنۡ نَّارِ السَّمُوۡمِ‏ ٢٧ وَاِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلٰۤٮِٕكَةِ اِنِّىۡ خَالـِقٌۢ بَشَرًا مِّنۡ صَلۡصَالٍ مِّنۡ حَمَاٍ مَّسۡنُوۡنٍ‏ ٢٨ فَاِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهٗ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيۡهِ مِنۡ رُّوۡحِىۡ فَقَعُوۡا لَهٗ سٰجِدِيۡنَ‏  ٢٩ فَسَجَدَ الۡمَلٰۤٮِٕكَةُ كُلُّهُمۡ اَجۡمَعُوۡنَۙ‏ ٣٠ اِلَّاۤ اِبۡلِيۡسَؕ اَبٰٓى اَنۡ يَّكُوۡنَ مَعَ السّٰجِدِيۡنَ‏ ٣١ قَالَ يٰۤاِبۡلِيۡسُ مَا لَـكَ اَلَّا تَكُوۡنَ مَعَ السّٰجِدِيۡنَ‏ ٣٢ قَالَ لَمۡ اَكُنۡ لِّاَسۡجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقۡتَهٗ مِنۡ صَلۡصَالٍ مِّنۡ حَمَاٍ مَّسۡنُوۡنٍ‏ ٣٣ قَالَ فَاخۡرُجۡ مِنۡهَا فَاِنَّكَ رَجِيۡمٌۙ‏ ٣٤ وَّاِنَّ عَلَيۡكَ اللَّعۡنَةَ اِلٰى يَوۡمِ الدِّيۡنِ‏ ٣٥ قَالَ رَبِّ فَاَنۡظِرۡنِىۡۤ اِلٰى يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُوۡنَ‏ ٣٦ قَالَ فَاِنَّكَ مِنَ الۡمُنۡظَرِيۡنَۙ‏ ٣٧ اِلٰى يَوۡمِ الۡوَقۡتِ الۡمَعۡلُوۡمِ‏ ٣٨




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Related Posts & Links

Masnoon (مَسْنُونٍ) root letters' search result:

https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=snn#(15:26:8) 

 

جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn) 

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

Q15 23-50 || Q12 

Links to posts about Jinn 


Clay (طِين) mentioned in The Quran 

Links to posts about Insaan 


With His Hands

With Our Hands 

THE CREATOR I and THE CREATORS WE   

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Tidal Locking?

 constantly facing another object 


The Stories (28:71-73)

28:71

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَآءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ ٧١

Ask ˹them, O  Prophet˺, “Imagine if Allah were to make the night perpetual for you until the Day of Judgment, which god other than Allah could bring you sunlight? Will you not then listen?”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you light? Then will you not hear?"

— Saheeh International

Say: Have ye thought, if Allah made night everlasting for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a god beside Allah who could bring you light? Will ye not then hear?

— M. Pickthall

28:72

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍۢ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ ٧٢

Ask ˹them also˺, “Imagine if Allah were to make the day perpetual for you until the Day of Judgment, which god other than Allah could bring you night to rest in? Will you not then see?”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Say, "Have you considered: if Allāh should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allāh could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"

— Saheeh International

Say: Have ye thought, if Allah made day everlasting for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is a god beside Allah who could bring you night wherein ye rest? Will ye not then see?

— M. Pickthall

28:73

وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٧٣

It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the day and night so that you may rest ˹in the latter˺ and seek His bounty ˹in the former˺, and perhaps you will be grateful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And out of His mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.

— Saheeh International

Of His mercy hath He appointed for you night and day, that therein ye may rest, and that ye may seek His bounty, and that haply ye may be thankful.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/28/71-73]

Screenshot from Quran.com


Tidal locking is the term used to describe when an object constantly faces another object, such that it never shows its back side, for example the moon is tidally locked to the Earth, thus we always see the same side of the moon. 

The good thing is that the Earth is not tidally locked to the Sun, otherwise one side of the Earth would constantly face the Sun, while the other side would remain constantly dark. It is a mercy that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ has appointed both day and night for us, all over Earth. Even the six-month long polar day yields into the six-month long polar night, so that all areas of the Earth can benefit from both day and night. 

Noteworthy is the word used for sunlight (diya (ضِيَآءٍ)). Another ayat of The Quran informs us that the Sun has been appointed a diya (Q10:5). So, the visible light that we can see is the light of the Sun. When the Sun is above the horizon, it is daytime. When the Sun sets, from dusk till dawn, it is nighttime. 

Daytime generally is the time for social activities, while nighttime is generally reserved for rest and tranquility. This phenomenon is observed all over Earth. People generally go out during the day for work, while they return home to rest when it is nighttime. 

The Quran describes the making of the night and the day as a Mercy from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . 

Night is for rest and tranquility (لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ), and is the time to seek seek from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's fadhal (لِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِ). Believers are advised to add an extra prayer, during part of the night, to recite The Quran, as that is a time of silence and solitude. When a believer recites while paying attention to the words being recited, it is hoped that the believer will then act according to the guidance in The Quran, and thus become successful in the tests Allah puts him through. The Quran is a Mercy from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ to help us return to a glorious hereafter in the gardens of eternity.  

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's fadhal (فَضْلِهِ) is of two kinds: religious and material, as mentioned in Surah alJumu'ah (Q62:4 and Q62:10). 

Day is the time for you to seek from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ 's fadhal (لِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِ) and perhaps, you are thankful (وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ). Being thankful is made evident when believers do acts of gratitude.


Surah alInsaan (The Human) informs us that we have been granted hearing and sight to test us: 

The Man Human (76:1-3)

76:1

هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًا ١

Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning?

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned?

— Saheeh International

Hath there come upon man (ever) any period of time in which he was a thing unremembered?

— M. Pickthall

76:2

إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍۢ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا ٢

˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing.

— Saheeh International

Lo! We create man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him; so We make him hearing, knowing.

— M. Pickthall

76:3

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا ٣

We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺ be grateful or ungrateful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.

— Saheeh International

Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.

— M. Pickthall

[https://quran.com/76/1-3]

While we can debate what the first ayat means, as can be seen from the three different translations, and the reading with or without the parenthesis, the second ayat is absolutely clear: we are indeed made from a sperm drop, and we indeed develop hearing and vision while still in the womb. 

We have been granted internal and external guidance, so when we enter this world, till when we exit this world, we are amply provided with opportunities to be grateful, and utilise the life given to us to do acts of gratitude, seeking the Face of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . 

And so, when The Quran is speaking about perpetual night, or perpetual day, lasting till the Day of Qiyamah, it questions: 

28:71

ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ ٧١ ...

... Will you not then listen?”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

... Then will you not hear?"

— Saheeh International

... Will ye not then hear?

— M. Pickthall

28:72

 ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ ٧٢ ...

... Will you not then see?”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

... Then will you not see?"

— Saheeh International

... Will ye not then see?

— M. Pickthall




Related Links & Posts 

Tidal Locking 


In this blog: 

The All-Encompassing Nur of Allah 

Night (لَيْلاً) and Day (نَهَاراً) 


Pondering on The Quran 

Rewards of Night Prayers 

The Quran, the Pharaoh, Exodus and the Promised Day! 

Guarding Prayers & The Middle Prayer 

The Return to Glory 


ArRahman: The Face and The Name 

Seeking the Face of Allah 

 

Hypocrisy and the Darkness it will bring 

The Permanent Touch 


 

...

Thursday, July 31, 2025

izeen (عِضِينَ) the meaning of,

...

The Rocky Tract

الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ ١

[https://quran.com/15/1]

...

 وَلَـقَدۡ اٰتَيۡنٰكَ سَبۡعًا مِّنَ الۡمَـثَانِىۡ وَالۡـقُرۡاٰنَ الۡعَظِيۡمَ‏  ٨٧

[https://quran.com/15/87]

...

وَقُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلنَّذِيرُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ٨٩

كَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْمُقْتَسِمِينَ ٩٠

ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عِضِينَ ٩١

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ٩٢

عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٩٣

فَٱصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٩٤

[https://quran.com/15/89-94]



The Ant (27:1)

طسٓ ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَكِتَابٍۢ مُّبِينٍ ١

[https://quran.com/27/1]



The Beneficent (55:1-4)

ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ١

عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٢

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ٣

عَلَّمَهُ ٱلْبَيَانَ ٤

[https://quran.com/55/1-4]


... 

Q15:89-94


وَقُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلنَّذِيرُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ٨٩

كَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْمُقْتَسِمِينَ ٩٠

ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عِضِينَ ٩١

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ ٩٢

عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٩٣

فَٱصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٩٤

[https://quran.com/15/89-94]


The people who make the Quran into 'izeen' will be questioned for what they used to do. 

Google translates izeen as 'member'. The generally accepted translations of The Quran translate it as 'parts'. 

The Quran is one whole. 


Q15:87


 وَلَـقَدۡ اٰتَيۡنٰكَ سَبۡعًا مِّنَ الۡمَـثَانِىۡ وَالۡـقُرۡاٰنَ الۡعَظِيۡمَ‏  ٨٧

[https://quran.com/15/87]


The Quran has been revealed for our guidance. It is a response to the prayer in Surah alFateha (the seven oft-repeated ayaat) which are recited in the beginning of every rakat of every salah (formal prayer). 


Q15:1


الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ ١

[https://quran.com/15/1]


The Quran is 'mubeen' meaning luminous. Its ayaat are clear. Its message is clear. It demands submission to the Will of Allah. It guides to the best of moral conduct. It gives glad tidings of a 'forever flourishing life' in the 'akhirah' (hereafter). It also warns of a 'forever miserable existence' in the 'akhirah' (hereafter). The choice is ours. 

The 'ayaat of The Kitab' are also mentioned, such as the 'kitab-e-maaloom' (Q15:4) when certain nations time to repent and reform was finished, and the punishment came to them. They were annihilated. Surah alHijr mentions the morally low people to whom Prophet Lot (Lut عليه السلام) kept preaching till he was rescued and they destroyed. It also mentions the Ashab-al-Aikateh and the Ashab-e-Hijr, who were also punished when the time to book them came. 


Q27:1


طسٓ ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَكِتَابٍۢ مُّبِينٍ ١

[https://quran.com/27/1]


In this Surah, the Kitab is 'mubeen', while it contains the ayaat of the Quran. The mubeen kitab is illustrated by the example of Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام)'s kitab, which he sends to the Queen of Saba, in Allah's name, ordering her to come as Muslim (in submission). 

The Surah contains many ayaat of The Quran, such as Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام)'s ability to converse with animals, etc. The Surah mentions that both David (Dawood عليه السلام) and Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام) were granted 'ilm'. 


...

Q55:1-4 


ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ١

عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٢

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ٣

عَلَّمَهُ ٱلْبَيَانَ ٤

[https://quran.com/55/1-4]


ArRahman has taught the Quran, created humans, and taught them how to make it clear (bayan). 

The sequence is significant. Surah arRahman begins with:

  • highlighting the Most Merciful (arRahman) 
    • everything that is mentioned in this surah is an aspect of Allah's Mercy  
  • (His) teaching Quran (granting ilm), 
    • the most immediate and extremely important is His granting ilm of The Quran
  • creating humans, 
    • we are created with a code that tells the clay in us how to organise, communicate and flourish 
  • teaching them (granting ilm) about how to make it clear 
    • we have not only been encoded / hard-wired with The Quran, we have also been blessed with the ability to describe it in words 

...

The Quran is true knowledge (ilm) taught by Allah to humans. It is the comprehensive response to: 

The Opener (1:5-7)

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦

صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧

[https://quran.com/1/5-7]


So, as a comprehensive response to our prayer, we need to take The Quran as a comprehensive whole, studying and pondering over all of it, and not just parts of it. The Quran presents examples of people with whom Allah became angry, and it also presents examples of people whom Allah allowed to go astray.  We must strive to follow The Quran as it deserves to be followed, before the time comes to Book us for our actions. 

Friday, July 25, 2025

Clay (طِين) mentioned in The Quran


Family of Imran (3:49)

وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ٤٩

And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allāh. And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allāh. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/3/49]

One of the signs Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) presented to the Bani Israel was the creation of a bird from clay (ٱلطِّينِ). He made the shape from clay, and then he blew into it (فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ), and it became a bird (فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا) by the permission of Allah (بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ) . So, the shape and form in clay came before it became a real bird. 

People wonder where and how the code for life came. It came from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ . He gives life to the dead Earth. Clay is the material He chose to create humans, and through Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام), Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى presents bird from clay as an example for the Bani Israel. Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) was only able to perform it due to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's express permission. 



The Table Spread (5:110)

إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ ١١٠

[The Day] when Allāh will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, remember My favor upon you and upon your mother when I supported you with the Pure Spirit [i.e., the angel Gabriel] and you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and [remember] when I taught you writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you designed from clay [what was] like the form of a bird with My permission, then you breathed into it, and it became a bird with My permission; and you healed the blind [from birth] and the leper with My permission; and when you brought forth the dead with My permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from [killing] you when you came to them with clear proofs and those who disbelieved among them said, "This is not but obvious magic."

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/5/110]

On the Day Allah  will gather the Messengers, he will remind Messenger Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) of the unique signs he was given as a favour from Allah ﷻ . Among the signs was the shaping of a bird (كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ) from clay (ٱلطِّينِ) with Allah's permission (بِإِذْنِى), and then the blowing in the clay (فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا) so that it became (فَتَكُونُ) a bird (طَيْرًۢا), with Allah's permission (بِإِذْنِى). 



The Cattle (6:2)

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍۢ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰٓ أَجَلًۭا ۖ وَأَجَلٌۭ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُۥ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ ٢

It is He who created you from clay and then decreed a term and a specified time [known] to Him; then [still] you are in dispute.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/6/2]

Allah  created us from clay (طِينٍۢ). One of the main arguments of the disbelievers is that how will they be put back together once they have disintegrated after death and become dust again. He who did it before can and will repeat it. That is His promise. 



The Heights (7:12)

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍۢ ١٢

[Allāh] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay [i.e., earth]."

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/7/12]

When Allah  questioned Iblis regarding his refusal to prostrate to Adam (عليه السلام), his objection was that Adam has been created from clay (طِينٍۢ). Iblis considered himself superior because of what he was made of, and considered Adam inferior because of what Adam was made of. It was the Creator's choice who to make with what material, and so, to make humans, Allah  chose clay (طِينٍۢ). 



The Night Journey (17:61)

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ قَالَ ءَأَسْجُدُ لِمَنْ خَلَقْتَ طِينًۭا ٦١

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He said, "Should I prostrate to one You created from clay?"

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/17/61]

Iblis' objection is to the material Adam (عليه السلام) has been created with, that is: clay (طِينًۭا). He refuses to accept Adam (عليه السلام)'s khilafat only on the basis of the material he has been created with. 



The Believers (23:12)

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍۢ مِّن طِينٍۢ ١٢

And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/23/12]

Humans have been created from clay (طِينٍۢ). It is interesting to point out that here it is the 'We' who created humans. The Quran informs us that Allah  created Adam (عليه السلام) with His Own Hands. Human beings in general were created by the 'We' with the permission of Allah  . This is similar to Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) shaping and creating the bird from clay (ٱلطِّينِ). Both are working for Allah  with His Permission.  



The Stories (28:38)

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَأُ مَا عَلِمْتُ لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرِى فَأَوْقِدْ لِى يَـٰهَـٰمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلطِّينِ فَٱجْعَل لِّى صَرْحًۭا لَّعَلِّىٓ أَطَّلِعُ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّى لَأَظُنُّهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ٣٨

And Pharaoh said, "O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a god other than me. Then ignite for me, O Hāmān, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses. And indeed, I do think he is among the liars."

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/28/38]

The arrogant Pharaoh asked Haman to ignite upon the clay (ٱلطِّينِ) so he could maybe rise upon (لَّعَلِّىٓ أَطَّلِعُ) the God of Moses (إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ). Notice that the clay he mentions is with the prefix 'al' (ٱلطِّينِ), similar to the mention of the clay (ٱلطِّينِ) used by Jesus (Isa عليه السلام). The rest all mentions of clay across The Quran are without the prefix 'al' (ٱل). 



The Prostration (32:7)

ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ مِن طِينٍۢ ٧

Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/32/7]

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is perfect and so, in this ayat it states, He who creates perfectly (ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُ), and he began / originated (بَدَأَ) the creation (خَلْقَ) of the human beings (ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ) from clay (طِينٍۢ). Therefore, it follows, that the suitable raw material for the creation of humans is clay. 



Those who set the Ranks (37:11)

فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰهُم مِّن طِينٍۢ لَّازِبٍۭ ١١

Then inquire of them, [O Muḥammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created them [i.e., men] from sticky clay.

— Saheeh International 

[https://quran.com/37/11]

Regarding the 'kawakib' in the sky of the earth, they are created from a specified form of clay (طِينٍۢ لَّازِبٍۭ). The word (لَّازِبٍۭ) is used just once in The Quran, and no other word with its root letters is there, so the exact meaning of (لَّازِبٍۭ) may or may not be 'sticky'.



The Letter "Saad" (38:71)

إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًۭا مِّن طِينٍۢ ٧١

[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/38/71]

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى informed the angels that He will be creating a 'bashr' (بَشَرًۭا) from clay (طِينٍۢ). In the next ayat, Allah  tells the angels to fall in prostration to His creation after He breathes His Ruh into this creation. They all do, except Iblis. The following ayat quotes Iblis' objection:



The Letter "Saad" (38:76)

قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍۢ ٧٦

He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/38/76]

Iblis' problem is the clay (طِينٍۢ) that this 'bashr' (Adam) has been created with. 

Allah created this 'bashr' (Adam) with His Own Hands. Allah is the Perfect Creator who creates perfectly. Arguing about the material of creation is a silly argument, as Allah knows best what material is most suitable for which creation. 



The Winnowing Winds (51:33)

لِنُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهِمْ حِجَارَةًۭ مِّن طِينٍۢ ٣٣

To send down upon them stones of clay,

— Saheeh International

[https://quran.com/51/33]

The criminal nation was to be destroyed with stones (حِجَارَةًۭ) of clay (طِينٍۢ). 


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Related Links & Posts: 

In this blog

With His Hands 

With Our Hands 

THE CREATOR I and THE CREATORS WE 

Kawakib: Planets, Comets and other rocky bodies? 

جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn) 

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

The Exalted Ones & The Better Group 

The Lord is my Rock 

The Unique Nafs of Allah 

Acknowledging the Perfection of our Lord 

Ruh / رُوحُ 

Forehead / جَبِين 


External links

Search results for طِينٍ in corpus.quran.com 

Clays and the Origin of Life