سُوْرَةُ الزُّمَرِ
Surah Az-Zumar (39) — Ayah 6
خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ أَزْوَٰجٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ ثَلَـٰثٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصْرَفُونَ ﴿6﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He created you (all) from a single person (Adam); then made from him his wife [Hawwâ’ (Eve)]. And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs (of the sheep, two, male and female; of the goats, two, male and female; of the oxen, two, male and female; and of the camels, two, male and female). He creates you in the wombs of your mothers: creation after creation in three veils of darkness. Such is Allâh your Lord. His is the kingdom. Lâ ilâha illâ Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
خَلَقَكُم
khalaqakum
He created you
مِّن
min
from
نَّفْسٍۢ
nafsin
a soul
وَٰحِدَةٍۢ
wāḥidatin
single
ثُمَّ
thumma
Then
جَعَلَ
jaʿala
He made
مِنْهَا
min'hā
from it
زَوْجَهَا
zawjahā
its mate
وَأَنزَلَ
wa-anzala
And He sent down
لَكُم
lakum
for you
مِّنَ
mina
of
ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ
l-anʿāmi
the cattle
ثَمَـٰنِيَةَ
thamāniyata
eight
أَزْوَٰجٍۢ ۚ
azwājin
kinds
يَخْلُقُكُمْ
yakhluqukum
He creates you
فِى
fī
in
بُطُونِ
buṭūni
(the) wombs
أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ
ummahātikum
(of) your mothers
خَلْقًۭا
khalqan
creation
مِّنۢ
min
after
بَعْدِ
baʿdi
after
خَلْقٍۢ
khalqin
creation
فِى
fī
in
ظُلُمَـٰتٍۢ
ẓulumātin
darkness[es]
ثَلَـٰثٍۢ ۚ
thalāthin
three
ذَٰلِكُمُ
dhālikumu
That
ٱللَّهُ
l-lahu
(is) Allah
رَبُّكُمْ
rabbukum
your Lord
لَهُ
lahu
for Him
ٱلْمُلْكُ ۖ
l-mul'ku
(is) the dominion
لَآ
lā
(There is) no
إِلَـٰهَ
ilāha
god
إِلَّا
illā
except
هُوَ ۖ
huwa
He
فَأَنَّىٰ
fa-annā
Then how
تُصْرَفُونَ
tuṣ'rafūna
are you turning away
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.
(Ayah 6) ➊ { خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ … :} For its explanation, see the first verse of Surah An-Nisa.
➋ { وَ اَنْزَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَنْعَامِ ثَمٰنِيَةَ اَزْوَاجٍ:} This too is evidence of Allah Almighty’s oneness, power, and greatness. For details, see Surah Al-An’am (143, 144) regarding the creation of eight kinds of animals. The word {’’ اَنْزَلَ ‘‘} (sent down) is used to draw attention to the fact that the blessings you receive come only from Allah Almighty, as He said: « وَ فِي السَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَ مَا تُوْعَدُوْنَ» [الذاریات : ۲۲ ] “And in the heaven is your provision and that which you are promised.” Out of countless animals, these particular animals are mentioned because mostly these animals are used by people for food, clothing, and other necessities. Since iron also holds fundamental importance in human needs, the same words are used for it: « وَ اَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيْدَ فِيْهِ بَاْسٌ شَدِيْدٌ وَّ مَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ» [ الحدید : ۲۵ ] “And We sent down iron, in which is strong material for war and benefits for mankind.”
➌ { يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِيْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ:} By “one creation after another” is meant all the stages from a drop of sperm to a complete human being. See Surah Al-Mu’minun (12 to 14).
➍ { فِيْ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ :} This refers to the darkness of the belly, the darkness of the womb, and the darkness of the membrane that is wrapped around the child. The creation of you in various stages within so many layers of darkness in your mothers’ wombs, providing for your every need there, protecting you from every harm and injury, and then bringing you safely into this world—this is the craftsmanship of that One Being alone. See also Surah Al-Mursalat (20 to 23) and Surah Abasa (17 to 20).
➎ { ذٰلِكُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّكُمْ … :} That is, when your Lord is Allah Almighty and all sovereignty belongs to Him, then necessarily your God (deity) is also He alone. How can anyone else be a deity, who is neither your Creator, nor Owner, nor Sustainer, nor King, nor has any share in these matters? Then how and where are you being turned away by making such deities? It is clear that the original nature of man is the belief in Tawheed (oneness of Allah). The one who diverts from this is Satan or other people who lead him to the wrong path. In this, man’s sense of honor is stirred—that instead of using your own intellect and will, you are blindly following others onto the wrong path. Think for a moment: how have you been turned away from the straight path and where are you being taken?
➋ { وَ اَنْزَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَنْعَامِ ثَمٰنِيَةَ اَزْوَاجٍ:} This too is evidence of Allah Almighty’s oneness, power, and greatness. For details, see Surah Al-An’am (143, 144) regarding the creation of eight kinds of animals. The word {’’ اَنْزَلَ ‘‘} (sent down) is used to draw attention to the fact that the blessings you receive come only from Allah Almighty, as He said: « وَ فِي السَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَ مَا تُوْعَدُوْنَ» [الذاریات : ۲۲ ] “And in the heaven is your provision and that which you are promised.” Out of countless animals, these particular animals are mentioned because mostly these animals are used by people for food, clothing, and other necessities. Since iron also holds fundamental importance in human needs, the same words are used for it: « وَ اَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيْدَ فِيْهِ بَاْسٌ شَدِيْدٌ وَّ مَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ» [ الحدید : ۲۵ ] “And We sent down iron, in which is strong material for war and benefits for mankind.”
➌ { يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِيْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ:} By “one creation after another” is meant all the stages from a drop of sperm to a complete human being. See Surah Al-Mu’minun (12 to 14).
➍ { فِيْ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ :} This refers to the darkness of the belly, the darkness of the womb, and the darkness of the membrane that is wrapped around the child. The creation of you in various stages within so many layers of darkness in your mothers’ wombs, providing for your every need there, protecting you from every harm and injury, and then bringing you safely into this world—this is the craftsmanship of that One Being alone. See also Surah Al-Mursalat (20 to 23) and Surah Abasa (17 to 20).
➎ { ذٰلِكُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّكُمْ … :} That is, when your Lord is Allah Almighty and all sovereignty belongs to Him, then necessarily your God (deity) is also He alone. How can anyone else be a deity, who is neither your Creator, nor Owner, nor Sustainer, nor King, nor has any share in these matters? Then how and where are you being turned away by making such deities? It is clear that the original nature of man is the belief in Tawheed (oneness of Allah). The one who diverts from this is Satan or other people who lead him to the wrong path. In this, man’s sense of honor is stirred—that instead of using your own intellect and will, you are blindly following others onto the wrong path. Think for a moment: how have you been turned away from the straight path and where are you being taken?
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.
6. 1 That is, from Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), whom Allah created with His own hand and breathed into him from His spirit.
6. 2 That is, He created Hawwa (Eve) from the left rib of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), and this too is a perfection of His power, because apart from Hawwa, no other woman has been created from the rib of a man. Thus, this creation is against the usual order and is among the signs of Allah's power.
6. 3 This is the mention of those same four kinds of animals: sheep, goat, camel, and cow, which together as male and female become eight, whose mention has already passed in Surah Al-An'am.
6. 4 That is, he passes through various stages in the mother's womb: first, a drop of fluid (nutfah), then a clot ('alaqah), then a lump of flesh (mudghah), then a skeleton of bones, upon which is clothed with flesh. After passing through all these stages, a complete human being is prepared.
6. 5 One is the darkness of the mother's belly, the second is the darkness of the womb, and the third is the membrane or covering in which the child is wrapped.
6. 6 Or why do you turn from truth to falsehood and from guidance to misguidance?
6. 2 That is, He created Hawwa (Eve) from the left rib of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), and this too is a perfection of His power, because apart from Hawwa, no other woman has been created from the rib of a man. Thus, this creation is against the usual order and is among the signs of Allah's power.
6. 3 This is the mention of those same four kinds of animals: sheep, goat, camel, and cow, which together as male and female become eight, whose mention has already passed in Surah Al-An'am.
6. 4 That is, he passes through various stages in the mother's womb: first, a drop of fluid (nutfah), then a clot ('alaqah), then a lump of flesh (mudghah), then a skeleton of bones, upon which is clothed with flesh. After passing through all these stages, a complete human being is prepared.
6. 5 One is the darkness of the mother's belly, the second is the darkness of the womb, and the third is the membrane or covering in which the child is wrapped.
6. 6 Or why do you turn from truth to falsehood and from guidance to misguidance?
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.
He created you from a single soul, then made from it its mate [11], and He created for you eight pairs of livestock [12]. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, within three layers of darkness [13]. That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs the dominion. There is no god but Him. So how are you being turned away [14]?
[11] This is the second proof of the Oneness of Allah, that He is the Creator of all of you. Apparently, from the words, it seems that Allah Almighty created you from a single soul, i.e., Sayyiduna Adam (peace be upon him), then after him, He made his wife. However, here, instead of chronological order, the order of mention has been considered, and such examples are found in every language. That is, Allah Almighty first created Adam, then from him, his wife, then from both of them, by continuing the lineage, He created you.
[12]
The Eight Pairs of Livestock in Which the Arabs Practiced Shirk:
That is, camel, cow, sheep, goat—these are four types, and by including their males and females, there are a total of eight pairs. And their mention has already passed under Surah Al-An'am, verse number 143. These were the same four types or eight pairs that the Arabs used to keep. And it was among these that their polytheistic customs were practiced. That is why only these have been mentioned, whereas among us, camels are very rare, and for purposes like milk, buffaloes are kept more than cows. Among us too, the milk of these animals is offered at shrines.
[13]
The Birth of the Fetus in Three Darknesses:
Among the amazing acts of Allah Almighty is that every fetus, whether it is a human child or an animal, is nurtured within three layered darknesses, and all three coverings protect the fetus from external calamities, and only then does the fetus become a child capable of being born. The first covering is the mother's belly, the second is the womb inside the belly, and the third is the membrane inside the womb in which the fetus is wrapped and protected. Then, during this period, the fetus passes through many stages and phases. First, it is a drop of fluid, then congealed blood, then a lump of flesh, then the soul is breathed into it, and afterwards, its form and shape are made, and all this happens within the three darknesses. Until, after the appointed time, the fetus takes the form and shape of a human and comes out of the mother's belly.
[14]
The People Who Trap the Ignorant Masses in the Misguidance of Shirk:
These are the attributes of your Lord, that He alone is your Creator, He alone is your Sustainer, and He alone is the Owner of you and the entire universe. Therefore, He alone can be worthy of your devotion, vows, sacrifices, and worship. Now, when you perform these acts for others besides Allah, then tell me, can you not even understand this simple matter? And who are those people who turn you away from this simple matter and put you on the wrong paths? And it is clear that those who mislead you from this simple matter can only be those whose own worldly interests are connected to such wrong paths. And these people are the gurus and mahants of temples, the pundits and priests of idol houses, and the custodians and attendants of shrines, who have trapped the masses in this net by telling all kinds of stories. And in this way, they have secured their own interests, but have pushed the ignorant masses into the misguidance of shirk.
[11] This is the second proof of the Oneness of Allah, that He is the Creator of all of you. Apparently, from the words, it seems that Allah Almighty created you from a single soul, i.e., Sayyiduna Adam (peace be upon him), then after him, He made his wife. However, here, instead of chronological order, the order of mention has been considered, and such examples are found in every language. That is, Allah Almighty first created Adam, then from him, his wife, then from both of them, by continuing the lineage, He created you.
[12]
The Eight Pairs of Livestock in Which the Arabs Practiced Shirk:
That is, camel, cow, sheep, goat—these are four types, and by including their males and females, there are a total of eight pairs. And their mention has already passed under Surah Al-An'am, verse number 143. These were the same four types or eight pairs that the Arabs used to keep. And it was among these that their polytheistic customs were practiced. That is why only these have been mentioned, whereas among us, camels are very rare, and for purposes like milk, buffaloes are kept more than cows. Among us too, the milk of these animals is offered at shrines.
[13]
The Birth of the Fetus in Three Darknesses:
Among the amazing acts of Allah Almighty is that every fetus, whether it is a human child or an animal, is nurtured within three layered darknesses, and all three coverings protect the fetus from external calamities, and only then does the fetus become a child capable of being born. The first covering is the mother's belly, the second is the womb inside the belly, and the third is the membrane inside the womb in which the fetus is wrapped and protected. Then, during this period, the fetus passes through many stages and phases. First, it is a drop of fluid, then congealed blood, then a lump of flesh, then the soul is breathed into it, and afterwards, its form and shape are made, and all this happens within the three darknesses. Until, after the appointed time, the fetus takes the form and shape of a human and comes out of the mother's belly.
[14]
The People Who Trap the Ignorant Masses in the Misguidance of Shirk:
These are the attributes of your Lord, that He alone is your Creator, He alone is your Sustainer, and He alone is the Owner of you and the entire universe. Therefore, He alone can be worthy of your devotion, vows, sacrifices, and worship. Now, when you perform these acts for others besides Allah, then tell me, can you not even understand this simple matter? And who are those people who turn you away from this simple matter and put you on the wrong paths? And it is clear that those who mislead you from this simple matter can only be those whose own worldly interests are connected to such wrong paths. And these people are the gurus and mahants of temples, the pundits and priests of idol houses, and the custodians and attendants of shrines, who have trapped the masses in this net by telling all kinds of stories. And in this way, they have secured their own interests, but have pushed the ignorant masses into the misguidance of shirk.
