Transliteration:( Summa khalaqnan nutfata 'alaqatan fakhalaqnal 'alaqata mudghatan fakhalaq nal mudghata 'izaaman fakasawnal 'izaama lahman summa anshaanaahu khalqan aakhar; fatabaarakal laahu ahsanul khaaliqeen )
"Then We made the drops of water a clot, then We made the clot a piece of flesh, then We made the bones [14], then We developed it into another shape [15]. So blessed is Allah, the Best Creator (16)."
It should be remembered that these transformations occur in stages, each approximately forty days apart. This highlights the sacredness and orderliness of human development. The mention of this forty-day cycle points to the divine wisdom and blessing in the process of life.
After the formation of bones, the body is then clothed with flesh and eventually given a soul. At this point, the human being is also granted faculties such as hearing and sight. This stage marks a significant spiritual transformation in the creation process.
The term "made" here refers to fashioning and forming with perfection. When Hazrat ‘Isa (peace be upon him) said, "I make a form out of clay for you" (Surah Aal-e-Imran, v49), the verb used was the same, yet the Qur’an clearly implies that there is no comparison between the Creator and creation.
The phrase "Best of Creators" is an Arabic expression that emphasizes the unmatched excellence of Allah’s creative power, not the existence of other real creators. It is a linguistic style in Arabic to describe ultimate perfection, without implying plurality in divinity. Therefore, this verse is a declaration of monotheism, not polytheism.
The tafsir of Surah Al-Muminun verse 14 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Muminun ayat 12 which provides the complete commentary from verse 12 through 16.
(23:14) then We made this drop into a clot, then We made the clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh,[12] and then We caused it to grow into another creation.[13] Thus Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of all those that create.[14]
12. For explanation see (Surah Al-Hajj, ayat 5) note 5-6 (Surah Al-Hajj, ayat 7) note 9.
13. Now let the disbelievers consider the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by observing their own creation, for this will convince them of its truth by proving its doctrine of Tauhid. The origin of man is from a mere inanimate sperm-drop, which undergoes several changes in the womb of the mother. But after this, when it sees the light of the day, it is quite a different creation from the embryo in the womb. Now it can hear, it can see, and in due course of time it can talk and think. Then, when he reaches adulthood and maturity, he is capable of performing wonderful deeds. It is obvious that Allah alone could create all these characteristics in an inanimate sperm-drop.
14. The various stages of the creation of man have been cited to prove that Allah is All-Blessed and there is no human language which can describe the praise of which He is worthy, as if to say: That Allah Who is able to develop an essence of clay into a perfect man, does not have any partner in His Godhead. Moreover, He has the power to raise him up again after his death, and is capable of working even greater wonders.
[950]- i.e., the most skillful and only true Creator.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics