Verse 28
Q: What is the Arabic text of verse 28?
A: كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Q: What is the translation of verse 28?
A: “How can you deny Allah? You were lifeless and He gave you life, then He will cause you to die, then He will give you life again, then to Him you will be returned.”
Q: What is the main argument presented in verse 28?
A: The verse presents a logical argument against disbelief by highlighting the undeniable cycle of creation that every human experiences, making denial of Allah irrational.
Q: What does “You were lifeless and He gave you life” refer to?
A: This refers to the initial creation from non-existence. Before conception, each person was nothing, and the gift of life is the primary and most evident blessing from God.
Q: What is the significance of “Then He will cause you to die”?
A: Death is presented as an inevitable, universally observed reality that is decreed by God, something no one can deny or escape.
Q: What does “Then He will give you life again” assert?
A: This asserts the reality of the Resurrection (Ba’th). Just as Allah initiated life from nothing, reviving the dead is equally within His power.
Q: What is the final destination mentioned in this verse?
A: “Then to Him you will be returned” indicates that the final destination is accountability before the Creator.
Q: According to Maududi, why does this verse make denial irrational?
A: To acknowledge the first act of creation but deny the Creator, or to acknowledge death but deny subsequent resurrection and accountability, is a profound contradiction that strips away all pretenses.
Verse 29
Q: What is the Arabic text of verse 29?
A: هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Q: What is the translation of verse 29?
A: “He is the One Who created for you all that is on the earth. Then He turned towards the heaven, and fashioned it into seven heavens. And He has full knowledge of everything.”
Q: How does verse 29 expand the argument from verse 28?
A: It expands from the creation of human life to the creation of the entire universe, showing that all of it is a favor and provision for humanity.
Q: What does “created for you all that is on the earth” encompass?
A: This encompasses all resources—animals, plants, minerals, water, air—everything that sustains and facilitates human life, highlighting divine purpose and benevolence.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase “for you”?
A: It emphasizes that creation has a divine purpose and is a tailored provision specifically for humanity’s benefit.
Q: Is the sequence “then He turned towards the heaven” chronological?
A: According to Maududi, the sequence is not necessarily chronological but emphasizes order and perfection in the creative act, signifying the completion of one stage and commencement of another with divine attention.
Q: What do the “seven heavens” signify?
A: The seven heavens denote the vast, layered cosmos, perfectly fashioned and ordered, signifying the majesty, complexity, and flawless design of the universe.
Q: What is the importance of “And He has full knowledge of everything”?
A: This affirms God’s all-encompassing knowledge. The Creator who fashioned everything with perfect wisdom has complete knowledge of His creation, so His commandments, promises, and warnings are all based on perfect wisdom.
Summary Questions
Q: What two types of proof do these verses provide together?
A:
- Personal, Logical Proof (v.28): Appeals to individual existence through the cycle of life, death, and resurrection
- Cosmic, Universal Proof (v.29): Shows the Creator fashioned the entire cosmos and provided for humanity
Q: What foundation do these verses establish?
A: They establish the foundation for accountability by proving God as the Creator, Sustainer, and All-Knowing Sovereign, laying groundwork for the concept of returning to Him for judgment.
Q: How do these verses relate to the earlier verses (21-22) of the Surah?
A: They answer the “how” and “why” of the call to worship, providing the rational basis for Tawhid (Monotheism) and belief in the Hereafter that was introduced at the beginning of the Surah.
VERSES, TRANSLATION AND EXPLANATIONS
Messages from Quran 