Transliteration:( Khalaqal insaana min nutfatin fa izaa huwa khaseemum mubeen )
"He created man from a drop of fluid [6], and then he becomes an open disputant."
By 'man' is meant the progeny of Hazrat Adam (on whom be peace)—from whom Hazrat Isa (on whom be peace) is excluded.
In short, creation of man through a sperm is the law of nature, while creating him without it is a demonstration of Divine Power.
Allah Almighty says:
"The likeness of Isa with Allah is like Adam. He created him of dust" (S3:V59).
Thus, no objection can be raised against this verse.
By “fluid” is meant the sperm of both mother and father:
From the father’s sperm, the bone structure is formed
From the mother’s, the flesh, hair, etc. develop
Hence, family lineage is traced through the father.
This verse was revealed regarding Ubay bin Khalf, who once brought a decayed bone of a dead body and mockingly questioned how Allah could bring it back to life.
As a reply, this verse declared that the Mighty Lord who creates man from a single drop of fluid is fully capable of reviving even a decayed bone.
The tafsir of Surah An-Nahl verse 3 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nahl ayat 3 which provides the complete commentary from verse 3 through 4.
(16:4) He created man out of a mere drop of fluid, and lo! he turned into an open wrangler.[7]
7. This has two meanings and both are meant here.
(1) Though Allah created man from an insignificant spermdrop, he is capable of arguing and giving reasons in support of his claim.
(2) Man who has such an insignificant origin, has become so vain that he does not hesitate to dispute even with his Creator.
If considered in its first sense, it is a chain in the series of arguments given in many succeeding verses to prove the truth of the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Please refer to (Surah An-Nahl, ayat 16) note 15. If taken in the second sense, it is meant to warn man that he should not forget the insignificant origin of his existence while engaged in his rebellious arguments against his Creator. If he remembered the different stages of his humiliating birth and growth, he would consider many times before he assumed a haughty and rebellious attitude towards his Creator.
[691]- As soon as he becomes strong and independent.
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