Transliteration:( Khalaqas samaawaati bi ghairi 'amadin tarawnahaa wa alqaa fil ardi rawaasiya an tameeda bikum wa bassa feehaa min kulli daaabbah; wa anzalnaa minas samaaa'i maaa'an fa ambatnaa feeha min kulli zawjin kareem )
"He has created the heavens without pillars that you can see [12] and put in it anchors, lest it shakes [13] with you, and He has scattered [14] therein all kinds of animals. And We sent down water from the sky [15], then We caused to grow in the earth every fine pair [16] of plants."
This part emphasizes the miraculous stability of the heavens, created without visible pillars. It highlights that the order of the cosmos is upheld by Allah’s command, not by any visible structure. The phrase “that you can see” implies there may indeed be divine mechanisms or forces sustaining the universe—beyond human perception.
Mountains are described as “anchors” placed on Earth to prevent it from shaking. This metaphor reflects their stabilizing function. The Qur’an often uses such powerful imagery to show that the Earth’s balance is not random but part of a deliberate, divine system designed for human habitation.
Allah has scattered a variety of animals across the Earth, showcasing the richness of creation. Each species, with its unique traits and habitats, reflects Allah’s creative wisdom and mastery in design.
The mention of water sent from the sky refers to rain, which is essential for life. It is a mercy and a sign—transforming barren lands into fertile ground, initiating the cycle of sustenance.
The verse ends with the growth of “every fine pair” of plants, indicating that even vegetation exists in pairs, showing balance, harmony, and reproduction in the plant kingdom. This reflects the Qur’anic theme of creation in pairs, which appears throughout nature—male and female, day and night, sun and moon—all pointing to the unity and design of the Creator.
10. He has created the heavens without any pillars that you see, and has set on the earth firm mountains lest it should shake with you. And He has scattered therein moving creatures of all kinds. And We send down water from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein in pairs, 11. This is the creation of Allah. So, show Me that which those besides Him have created. Nay, the wrongdoers are in plain error.
Thus Allah explains His mighty power in creating the heavens and the earth, and everything that is within them and between them. He says:
(He has created the heavens without any pillars) Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, “It does not have any pillars, visible or invisible.”
(and has set on the earth firm mountains) means, the mountains which stabilize and lend weight to the earth, lest it should shake with its water. Allah says:
(lest it should shake with you.)
(And He has scattered therein moving creatures of all kinds) means, He has placed throughout it all kinds of animals, the total number of whose kinds and colors is known to no one except the One Who created them. When Allah tells us that He is the Creator, He also reminds us that He is the Provider, as He says:
(And We send down water from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein in pairs,) meaning, every kind of good produce in pairs, i.e., they are beautiful to look at. Ash-Sha`bi said: “People are also produce of the earth, so whoever enters Paradise is goodly and whoever enters Hell is vile.”
(This is the creation of Allah.) means, all that Allah has mentioned here of the creation of the heavens and earth and everything in between stems from His power of creation and control alone, and He has no partner or associate in that, Allah says:
(So, show Me that which those besides Him have created.) those idols and rivals whom you worship and call upon.
(Nay, the wrongdoers) means the idolators who associate others in worship with Allah
(in error) means, they are ignorant and blind.
(plain) means, it is clear and obvious, and not at all hidden.
(31:10) He[12] created the heavens without any pillars visible to you[13] and He placed mountains in the earth as pegs lest it should turn topsy turvy with you,[14] and He dispersed all kinds of animals over the earth, and sent down water from the sky causing all kinds of excellent plants to grow on it.
12. After the above introductory sentence, the discourse now turns to the real theme, i.e. the refutation of shirk and the invitation to Tauhid.
13. The actual words bi-ghair i amad-in tarauna-ha in the text may have two meanings:
(1) “You can see for yourself that they stand without pillar”; and
(2) “They stand on the pillars which you cannot see”
Ibn Abbas and Mujahid have favored the second meaning, and many other commentators take the first meaning. If the meaning is expressed in terms of the natural sciences of the present day, it can be said that the countless stars and planets in the heaven have been established in their positions and orbits without any visible support and prop: there are no strings and wires which might have tied them together; there are no iron bars which might be withholding them from falling on one another. It is the law of gravitation which is supporting the system. This interpretation is according to the present-day knowledge. It may be that tomorrow some new addition to our knowledge enables us to interpret the reality better.
14. For explanation, see (Surah An-Nahl, ayat 15) note 12.
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