Surah 51

Surah 51:49

"And We created pairs of everything, so that you might take heed."
Proofs of Allah's Oneness abound in the Creation of the Heavens and the Earth Verses 51:47-51
Show Full Scripture Context (51:47-51) — 5 Verses
Verse 47

وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيۡنَٰهَا بِأَيۡيْدٖ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ

The sky – We built it with (Our own) hands, and surely We were (its) extenders indeed.

Verse 48

وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فَرَشۡنَٰهَا فَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡمَٰهِدُونَ

And the earth – We spread it out. Excellent were the smoothers!

Verse 49

وَمِن كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ خَلَقۡنَا زَوۡجَيۡنِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ

And We created pairs of everything, so that you might take heed.

Verse 50

فَفِرُّوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِۖ إِنِّي لَكُم مِّنۡهُ نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٞ

So flee to God! Surely I am a clear warner for you from Him.

Verse 51

وَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَۖ إِنِّي لَكُم مِّنۡهُ نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٞ

And do not set up another god with God. Surely I am a clear warner for you from Him.

Allah reminds us of the creating of the higher and lower worlds, {We constructed the heaven.} meaning, 'We made it as a high roof, protected from falling,' {with Hands}, meaning, with strength, according to 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah, Ath-Thawri and several others, {Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof.} means, 'We made it vast and We brought its roof higher without pillars to support it, and thus it is hanging independently.' {And We have made the earth a Firash}, meaning, "We have made it a resting place for the created,' {how excellent a spreader (thereof) are We!}, meaning, 'We spread it for its inhabitants,' {And of everything We have created pairs,} meaning, all the created are in pairs, the heaven and earth, night and day, sun and moon, land and sea, light and darkness, faith and disbelief, death and life, misery and happiness, Paradise and Fire, in addition to the animals and plants. The statement of Allah the Exalted, {that you may remember.} and know that the Creator, Allah, is One without partners, {So, flee to Allah.} meaning, seek shelter with Him and trust in Him in all of your affairs, {Verily, I am a plain warner to you from Him. And set not up any other god along with Allah.} do not associate any partners with Him, {Verily, I am a plain warner to you from Him.}

— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (272-274)

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.