Surah Sad — Verse 69

Key Words and Meanings:

• Al-Mala’ al-A‘la (المَلَإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ): The highest assembly, referring to the angels in the heavens.
• Yakhtasimūn (يَخْتَصِمُونَ): They were disputing or arguing among themselves.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah instructs His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to declare to the people that he had no knowledge whatsoever of the discussion and debate that took place among the angels in the highest heavens regarding the creation of Adam (peace be upon him). The Prophet did not witness that event, nor did he possess any innate or acquired knowledge of it. He only came to know of it because Allah, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, revealed this information to him through divine inspiration. This serves as a powerful testament to the truthfulness of the Prophet’s message — for how could an unlettered man from Makkah, who lived centuries after the event, accurately describe such a hidden and celestial occurrence unless he was truly receiving revelation from the Creator of the heavens and the earth?

A Da‘wah Reflection:

This verse is a profound reminder of the absolute truth of the Qur’an and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet was not present at the creation of Adam, nor did he have access to the scriptures of the People of the Book in a way that would allow him to fabricate such detailed accounts. Yet, Allah revealed to him the story of the angels’ dispute — a matter known only to the unseen world. This is clear evidence that the Qur’an is not the word of a human being, but the speech of the Lord of all worlds.

For every seeker of truth, this verse invites reflection: if a man living in the desert of Arabia, with no formal education, could accurately narrate events from the unseen past, then this can only be a sign from Allah. It calls upon the heart to submit to this divine revelation, to embrace Islam with certainty, and to recognise that the Messenger of Allah spoke nothing of his own desire — it was but revelation sent down to him. Let this verse strengthen your faith, increase your love for the Qur’an, and inspire you to share this beautiful truth with others, for it is a light that guides to the straight path.