سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ

Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 4

The Bee · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 267

‹
›
خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ ﴿4﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

خَلَقَ khalaqa He created
ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ l-insāna the human kind
مِن min from
نُّطْفَةٍۢ nuṭ'fatin a minute quantity of semen
فَإِذَا fa-idhā then behold
هُوَ huwa he
خَصِيمٌۭ khaṣīmun (is) an opponent
مُّبِينٌۭ mubīnun clear

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah4){خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ … : ’’ نَطَفَ‘‘} (ض، ن) To drip. {’’ نُّطْفَةٍ ‘‘} Drop. The letter "Taa" is for expressing contempt or insignificance, meaning from a lowly and insignificant drop. {’’ خَصِيْمٌ ‘‘} Is an intensive form. After mentioning the earth and the heavens, the things created within them are presented as evidence for monotheism; first, the creation of man is mentioned. This matter is explained in detail in Surah Yaseen, where it is said: «{ اَوَ لَمْ يَرَ الْاِنْسَانُ اَنَّا خَلَقْنٰهُ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ فَاِذَا هُوَ خَصِيْمٌ مُّبِيْنٌ (77) وَ ضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَّ نَسِيَ خَلْقَهٗ قَالَ مَنْ يُّحْيِ الْعِظَامَ وَ هِيَ رَمِيْمٌ }» [ یٰسٓ : ۷۷، ۷۸ ] "And does man not see that We created him from a drop, yet suddenly he is a clear adversary? And he presents for Us an example and forgets his own creation; he says, 'Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?'" {’’ إِذَا ‘‘} "Fajaiyyah" comes in the meaning of "suddenly," that is, the occurrence of such a strange thing that was not even imagined or thought of, meaning if he had remembered, then from a lowly drop, passing through various stages, the man who emerged could not have been expected to argue in this way; rather, the truth was that he should have remembered his own creation. It is also possible that from both parts of the verse, the intention is to argue for Allah's perfect power, that is, He created from a drop, then placed in it all the faculties completely, such as the ability to think, understand, and speak, so that he became capable of reasoning, argument, and debate. (Ruh al-Ma'ani)

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

4. 1. That is, from an inanimate thing which comes out from within a living being, which is called semen. It is passed through various stages and then given a complete form, then Allah ﷻ breathes the soul into it and brings it out from the mother's womb into this world where it lives its life. But when it gains consciousness, it disputes regarding that very Lord, denies Him, or associates partners with Him.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

4. He created man from a drop of fluid, yet suddenly he becomes an open, argumentative [6] opponent.

[6]
What is meant by "Khaseem Mubeen"?

One meaning is that man, who is created from a tiny drop of water, by virtue of the divine breath of the soul, learns the art of argument and reasoning and becomes capable of presenting various proofs for his claims. In this meaning, the manifestation of God's power is intended. The second meaning is that man does not consider his own reality—that he was created from a lowly drop of water—then, when he attains some intellect, he begins to present stubborn arguments against the truth, to the extent that he does not refrain from disputing even about his Creator, Allah Almighty. The purpose of this meaning is to express man's rebelliousness, and this meaning is also supported by verses 77 and 78 of Surah Ya-Sin.
← Previous All Surahs Next →
Telegram
Facebook