Surah Nuh — Verse 20

Word Meanings:

• Sublan (سُبُلًا): Paths or roads.
• Fijajan (فِجَاجًا): Wide, spacious, and open routes — derived from *fajj*, meaning a broad and clear passage between mountains or hills.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah continues His reminder to humanity of His boundless favors, calling us to reflect on the earth beneath our feet. He has spread out the earth as a vast and stable resting place, and then He says: "That you may traverse therein wide paths." — meaning, He made the earth smooth and habitable so that you, O mankind, may travel through it with ease, moving from one region to another, through open valleys, mountain passes, and expansive roads, seeking your livelihood, visiting one another, and fulfilling your needs.

This is a profound sign of Allah’s mercy and wisdom. He did not create the earth as a barren, impassable obstacle, but rather as a welcoming home, with natural highways carved through mountains and plains, and with the ability for you to build and pave even more routes for your journeys. The very ground you walk on is a gift — a carpet laid out for your benefit, inviting you to explore, to work, to trade, and to connect with others.

A Call to Reflection and Gratitude:

Dear reader, pause for a moment and consider: how often do you walk, drive, or travel without noticing the earth beneath you? Every path you take — from the street outside your door to the longest journey across continents — is made possible by the mercy of your Lord. He could have made the earth rugged and impossible to cross, but instead, He smoothed it for you. This is not merely a physical blessing; it is a spiritual lesson. If Allah has made the earth so accommodating for your worldly travels, how much more should you strive to walk the paths that lead to His pleasure? The same Lord who opened wide roads for your body has opened wide roads for your soul — through faith, repentance, and good deeds. So use these earthly paths to reach what is eternal, and let every step you take remind you of the One who paved the way for you.