Surah 40:68

"He (it is) who gives life and causes death, and when He decrees something, He simply says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is."

Islamic Commentaries (1)Manuscripts (41)

The Prohibition of Shirk, the Order for Tawhid, and the Evidence Verses 40:66-68

Show Full Scripture Context (40:66-68) — 3 Verses

Verse 66

۞قُلۡ إِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنۡ أَعۡبُدَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِيَ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُ مِن رَّبِّي وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أُسۡلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

Say: ‘I am forbidden to serve those whom you call on, instead of God, when the clear signs have come to me from my Lord, and I am commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.’

Verse 67

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَةٖ ثُمَّ يُخۡرِجُكُمۡ طِفۡلٗا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَشُدَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُواْ شُيُوخٗاۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَلِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَجَلٗا مُّسَمّٗى وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

He (it is) who created you from dust, then from a drop, then from a clot, then He brings you forth as children, then (He provides for you) so that you may reach your maturity, then that you may become old men – though among you (there is) one who is taken before (this) – and that you may reach an appointed time, and that you may understand.

Verse 68

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُۖ فَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

He (it is) who gives life and causes death, and when He decrees something, He simply says to it, ‘Be!’ and it is.

Allah says, 'say, O Muhammad, to these idolaters, that Allah forbids them to worship anyone, such as these idols and false gods, except Him.' Allah explains that no one apart from Him is deserving of worship, as He says:

Quoted Scripture

"It is He, Who has created you from dust, then from a Nutfah then from a clot (a piece of coagulated blood), then brings you forth as an infant, then (makes you grow) to reach the age of full strength, and afterwards to be old."

meaning, He is the One Who Alone, with no partner or associate, causes you to pass through these different stages, and this happens in accordance with His command, will and decree.

{though some among you die before} means, before being fully formed and emerging to this world; so his mother miscarries him. And there are some who die in infancy or in their youth, or when they are adults but before they reach old age, as Allah says:

Quoted Scripture

"[that We may make (it) clear to you. And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term](quran/22/5)}."

"and that you reach an appointed term in order that you may understand."

Ibn Jurayj said, "In order that you may remember the Resurrection." Then Allah says:

{It is He Who gives life and causes death.} meaning, He is the Only One Who does that, and none is able to do that except He.

Quoted Scripture

"And when He decides upon a thing He says to it only: "Be!" - and it is."

means, He cannot be opposed or resisted. Whatever He wills definitely comes to pass.

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Vol. 8, Page 501-502)

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.

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