Surah Baqarah ayat 164 Tafsir Quran 2:164

﴿إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِن مَّاءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ﴾
[ البقرة: 164]

2:164 Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.

They then asked for a sign to prove this and the following was revealed Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the marvels contained in them and the alternation of the night and day passing and returning increasing and diminishing and the ships that run in the sea and do not become cracked and sink with what profits men of trade and merchandise and the water the rain God sends down from the heaven with which He revives the earth with vegetation after it is dead after it has dried out and He scatters abroad in it all manner of crawling thing by dividing them and spreading them throughout on account of the vegetation for they thrive on the fertile pastures it produces; and the disposition of the winds changing it from south to north from cold to warm and the clouds compelled subjugated by God’s command moving to wherever God wishes between heaven and the earth without being attached to either of the two — surely there are signs indicating His Oneness exalted be He for a people who comprehend a people who contemplate.

The creation of the heavens and the earth, the constant alternation symbolizing night and day, the ships sailing and navigating for transport ,the rain* Allah sends down from the floor of heaven’s vault where He revives the earth after suffering death**, and what He scattered over it of animate beings, in addition to the air circulating in various directions with varying degrees of weight and pressure and the clouds** floating at various heights in the upper air, circulating in servitude between the vault of heaven and earth; are indeed signs with prodigies emblematic of Omnipotence and Authority, sensed by those who reflect

The Proofs for Tawhid Allah said: إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ ( Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth... ) Therefore, the sky, with its height, intricate design, vastness, the heavenly objects in orbit, and this earth, with its density, its lowlands, mountains, seas, deserts, valleys, and other structures, and beneficial things that it has.
Allah continues: وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ ( ...and in the alternation of night and day. ) This ( the night ) comes and then goes followed by the other ( the day ) which does not delay for even an instant, just as Allah said: لاَ الشَّمْسُ يَنبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تدْرِكَ القَمَرَ وَلاَ الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ ( It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day.
They all float, each in an orbit. ) ( 36:40 ) Sometimes, the day grows shorter and the night longer, and sometimes vice versa, one takes from the length of the other.
Similarly Allah said: يُولِجُ الَّيْلَ فِى النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِى الَّيْلِ ( Allah merges the night into the day, and He merges the day into the night ) ( 57:6 ) meaning, He extends the length of one from the other and vice versa.
Allah then continues: وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ ( .
..and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, ) Shaping the sea in this manner, so that it is able to carry ships from one shore to another, so people benefit from what the other region has, and export what they have to them and vice versa. Allah then continues: وَمَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الاٌّرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ( ...and the water (rain ) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death), which is similar to Allah's statement: وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ الاٌّرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَـهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبّاً فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ ( And a sign for them is the dead land.
We give it life, and We bring forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof. ) ( 36:33 ), until: وَمِمَّا لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( which they know not. ) ( 36:36 ) Allah continues: وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ ( and the moving (living ) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein,) meaning, in various shapes, colors, uses and sizes, whether small or large.
Allah knows all that, sustains it, and nothing is concealed from Him.
Similarly, Allah said: وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِى كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ ( And no moving (living ) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.
And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit ( in the uterus or grave ).
All is in a Clear Book ( Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz ـ the Book of Decrees with Allah ).) ( 11:6 ) وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَـحِ ( ...and in the veering of winds... ) Sometimes, the wind brings mercy and sometimes torment.
Sometimes it brings the good news of the clouds that follow it, sometimes it leads the clouds, herding them, scattering them or directing them.
Sometimes, the wind comes from the north ( the northern wind ), and sometimes from the south, sometimes from the east, and striking the front of the Ka`bah, sometimes from the west, striking its back.
There are many books about the wind rain, stars and the regulations related to them, but here is not the place to elaborate on that, and Allah knows best. Allah continues: وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالأَرْضِ ( ...and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, ) The clouds run between the sky and the earth to wherever Allah wills of lands and areas. Allah said next: لآيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ ( ...are indeed Ayat for people of understanding, ) meaning, all these things are clear signs that testify to Allah's Oneness.
Similarly, Allah said: إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ - الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَـماً وَقُعُوداً وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ رَبَّنَآ مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَـطِلاً سُبْحَـنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ( Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.
Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers ) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, ( saying ): "Our Lord! You have not created ( all ) this without purpose, glory to You! ( Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners ).
Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.") ( 3:190, 191 )

(2:164) (If they want a sign for the perception of this Reality) surety there are countless signs for those who use their common sense; *162 they can see alternation of the night and day, in the ships that sail the ocean laden with cargoes beneficial to mankind, and in the rain-water which Allah sends down from the sky and thereby gives life to the earth after its death and spreads over it all kinds of animate creatures, in the blowing of the winds and in the clouds which obediently wait for orders between the sky and the earth.

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens meaning

*162).
If a man were to observe the constant operation of this universe, reflect on it in a manner befitting a rational being, and think about it without either stubbornness or bias, he would find sufficient signs to convince him that this gigantic system is absolutely subservient to the will of the Omnipotent and Wise Being, Who alone wields all power and authority.
Moreover, this system seems to be such as to rule out all possibility of any interference from others whether independent of the Creator of the universe or in partnership with Him.
Since this One True God is the Lord of all creation and none else is in possession of any power or authority, none is entitled to any share in His godhead or overlordship.

 

The Proofs for Tawhid Allah said: إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ ( Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth... ) Therefore, the sky, with its height, intricate design, vastness, the heavenly objects in orbit, and this earth, with its density, its lowlands, mountains, seas, deserts, valleys, and other structures, and beneficial things that it has.
Allah continues: وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ ( ...and in the alternation of night and day. ) This ( the night ) comes and then goes followed by the other ( the day ) which does not delay for even an instant, just as Allah said: لاَ الشَّمْسُ يَنبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تدْرِكَ القَمَرَ وَلاَ الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ ( It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day.
They all float, each in an orbit. ) ( 36:40 ) Sometimes, the day grows shorter and the night longer, and sometimes vice versa, one takes from the length of the other.
Similarly Allah said: يُولِجُ الَّيْلَ فِى النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِى الَّيْلِ ( Allah merges the night into the day, and He merges the day into the night ) ( 57:6 ) meaning, He extends the length of one from the other and vice versa.
Allah then continues: وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ ( .
..and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, ) Shaping the sea in this manner, so that it is able to carry ships from one shore to another, so people benefit from what the other region has, and export what they have to them and vice versa. Allah then continues: وَمَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الاٌّرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ( ...and the water (rain ) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death), which is similar to Allah's statement: وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ الاٌّرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَـهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبّاً فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ ( And a sign for them is the dead land.
We give it life, and We bring forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof. ) ( 36:33 ), until: وَمِمَّا لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ ( which they know not. ) ( 36:36 ) Allah continues: وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ ( and the moving (living ) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein,) meaning, in various shapes, colors, uses and sizes, whether small or large.
Allah knows all that, sustains it, and nothing is concealed from Him.
Similarly, Allah said: وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِى كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ ( And no moving (living ) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.
And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit ( in the uterus or grave ).
All is in a Clear Book ( Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz ـ the Book of Decrees with Allah ).) ( 11:6 ) وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَـحِ ( ...and in the veering of winds... ) Sometimes, the wind brings mercy and sometimes torment.
Sometimes it brings the good news of the clouds that follow it, sometimes it leads the clouds, herding them, scattering them or directing them.
Sometimes, the wind comes from the north ( the northern wind ), and sometimes from the south, sometimes from the east, and striking the front of the Ka`bah, sometimes from the west, striking its back.
There are many books about the wind rain, stars and the regulations related to them, but here is not the place to elaborate on that, and Allah knows best. Allah continues: وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالأَرْضِ ( ...and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, ) The clouds run between the sky and the earth to wherever Allah wills of lands and areas. Allah said next: لآيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ ( ...are indeed Ayat for people of understanding, ) meaning, all these things are clear signs that testify to Allah's Oneness.
Similarly, Allah said: إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَاخْتِلَـفِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لاّيَـتٍ لاٌّوْلِى الاٌّلْبَـبِ - الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَـماً وَقُعُوداً وَعَلَى جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِى خَلْقِ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ رَبَّنَآ مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَـطِلاً سُبْحَـنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ( Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.
Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers ) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, ( saying ): "Our Lord! You have not created ( all ) this without purpose, glory to You! ( Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners ).
Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.") ( 3:190, 191 )

Then He mentioned the sign of His divine Oneness, saying: ( Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth ) i.e. in their making; or as it is said: in the making of what is in them, ( and the difference of night and day ) in the alternation of night and day, and in the increase and decrease of their duration, ( and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men ) in their livelihoods, ( and the water ) rain ( which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving ) through rain ( the earth after its death ) after suffering by drought and being dried up, ( and dispersing ) creating ( all kinds of beasts ) male and female ( therein, and the ordinance of the winds ) in changing the direction of the wind towards the right and towards the left, coming sometimes from the East and sometimes from the West, sometimes carrying torment and sometimes mercy: ( and the clouds obedient ) subservient ( between heaven and earth ) He says: in all these ( are signs ) indications of the Lord’s divine Oneness ( for people who have sense ) who believe that they are from Allah.

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding.

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