Transliteration:( Awalam yaraw annal laahal lazee khalaqas samaawaati wal arda qaadirun 'alaaa any yakhluqa mislahum wa ja'ala lahum ajalal laa raiba fee; fa abaz zaalimoona illaa kufooraa )
"And do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth [205], is able to create the like of them [206]? And He has appointed for them a term about which there is no doubt [207]. But the unjust refuse to accept anything but disbelief." [99]
This refers to the undeniable fact that Allah Almighty created the heavens and the earth without any prior matter or example.
If Allah can create such massive, intricate systems without raw materials,
then how could creating man from dust or without sperm be difficult for Him?
This is a direct refutation of the disbelief in resurrection.
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will recreate human beings like they were in the world, with some differences:
The limbs and soul will be original, meaning the same in essence.
But the component parts (skin tone, size, etc.) will differ:
Disbelievers who were white-skinned in the world will appear blackened as a mark of disgrace.
Believers who were dark-skinned here will appear bright and illuminated as a sign of honour.
The bodies of the disbelievers will be extremely large in Hell, to bear greater torment.
Hence, the phrase "the like of them" implies similarity in identity, but difference in form and condition.
Every matter in the universe has a fixed time, decreed by Allah:
Illness, healing, success, even the acceptance of prayers—all occur at their appointed time.
Hence, one must pray with patience, not advise or rush Allah’s wisdom.
The infidels demanding immediate punishment were simply ignorant of Divine timing.
Such demands were made out of mockery, not sincerity.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Isra verse 99 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Isra ayat 98 which provides the complete commentary from verse 98 through 99.
(17:99) Have they not perceived that Allah, Who has created the heavens and the earth, has the power to create the like of them? He has fixed a term for them about which there is no doubt. And yet the wrong-doers obstinately persist in unbelief.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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