Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 12
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
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.
➋ The relevance of these verses to the previous verses appears to be that Allah Almighty mentioned the inheriting of Firdaws by the successful believers, and obviously, this will happen on the Day of Resurrection. Therefore, as evidence for resurrection and life after death, the first creation of man is mentioned. Then, as further evidence, the creation of even greater beings in the universe—the heavens and the earth and the blessings within them—is mentioned, that the One who created all this the first time is also capable of resurrecting. Then, the evil end of those who deny Allah’s oneness and the power to resurrect is warned about. Thus, first, the denial by the people of Noah (peace be upon him) and the punishment that befell them is mentioned. And Allah knows best (Nazm al-Durr by al-Biqa'i).
➌ The tanween in {مِنْ سُلٰلَةٍ مِّنْ طِيْنٍ : ’’ طِيْنٍ ‘‘} is for belittlement, and in {’’ سُلٰلَةٍ ‘‘} there is also a sense of smallness, meaning this human whom you see walking around, laughing and smiling, his beginning was from a small, insignificant extract of clay. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ مِنْ قَبْضَةٍ قَبَضَهَا مِنْ جَمِيْعِ الْأَرْضِ فَجَاءَ بَنُوْ آدَمَ عَلٰی قَدْرِ الْأَرْضِ جَاءَ مِنْهُمُ الْأَحْمَرُ وَالْأَبْيَضُ وَالْأَسْوَدُ وَ بَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ وَالسَّهْلُ وَالْحَزْنُ وَالْخَبِيْثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ ] [ أبو داوٗد، السنۃ، باب في القدر : ۴۶۹۳ ] "Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, created Adam from a handful of soil which He gathered from all over the earth. Thus, Adam’s descendants came according to the soil: some are red, some are white, some are black, and some are in between. Some are gentle, some are harsh, some are evil-natured, and some are good and excellent in nature." In this verse, the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) is mentioned.
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.
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.
[11]
The Creation of Man and the Meaning of the Essence of Clay:
﴿سلاَلَةٌ﴾ means extract, essence, quintessence, the useful part taken out from anything (Mufradat al-Quran). There can be two meanings of creating man from the extract of clay: one is that the figure of Adam ؑ was made from clay. First, it was dry clay. Then water was added to it, so it became mud. Then it was left to ferment, which caused it to develop a smell. Then it was kneaded, and its sticky and adhesive part was taken, and it was dried. Then it was heated until it began to sound like pottery. Just as clay pots and their various shapes are made and baked in fire, and only the sticky and useful part of the clay is used in them. From this very clay, the figure of Adam ؑ was prepared, into which Allah breathed into it from His spirit, and thus a living, breathing human came into existence. After that, the progeny of Adam continued through procreation and sperm. The second meaning is that sperm itself is formed in the human body from the very foods that are obtained from the earth. In this sense, sperm is ultimately also the essence of the earth.
