Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Verily, in the heavens and the earth are signs for the believers.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِنَّinnaIndeed
فِىfīin
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضِwal-arḍiand the earth
لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢlaāyātinsurely (are) Signs
لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَlil'mu'minīnafor the believers
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 3) {اِنَّفِيالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِلَاٰيٰتٍلِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ:} In Surah Al-Baqarah (164) it is said {’’ اِنَّفِيْخَلْقِالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِ ‘‘}, whereas here it is said {’’ اِنَّفِيالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِ ‘‘}, so this is more general than that, because it includes both the creation of the heavens and the earth and their essence. Here the question arises: in the heavens and the earth and in the things mentioned after them, what are these signs of? The answer is that it was known that the polytheists were not willing to accept the oneness of Allah and the Resurrection, and there were also some atheists who did not even accept the existence of Allah, as is coming in verse (24) of this Surah: « وَقَالُوْامَاهِيَاِلَّاحَيَاتُنَاالدُّنْيَانَمُوْتُوَنَحْيَاوَمَايُهْلِكُنَاۤاِلَّاالدَّهْرُ » "And they said, 'There is nothing but our worldly life; we die and live (here), and nothing destroys us except time.'" Therefore, Allah mentioned many signs indicating His existence, His oneness, and the Resurrection. Among these, the heavens and the earth are mentioned first, that in their existence there are many signs for the believers, because the benefit of the signs is only for those who are willing to accept; those who are heedless and stubborn, who have decided not to accept, for them the existence or non-existence of these signs is the same.
As for how there are signs of Allah's existence, His oneness, and the Resurrection in the heavens and the earth, the answer is that the universe and its system testify that all this did not come into being by itself, but rather it was created by a Creator, and He is One, because there is no room for the rule of separate gods in it, as Allah said: «لَوْكَانَفِيْهِمَاۤاٰلِهَةٌاِلَّااللّٰهُلَفَسَدَتَا »[ الأنبیاء : ۲۲ ] "If there had been in them (the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, they both would have surely been corrupted." See the commentary on this verse. The existence of the heavens and the earth also testifies that Allah did not create all this without purpose, but He created all this for the benefit of mankind, and on the Day of Resurrection, everyone will be given recompense for his deeds, as He said elsewhere: « اِنَّفِيْخَلْقِالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِوَاخْتِلَافِالَّيْلِوَالنَّهَارِلَاٰيٰتٍلِّاُولِيالْاَلْبَابِ (190) الَّذِيْنَيَذْكُرُوْنَاللّٰهَقِيٰمًاوَّقُعُوْدًاوَّعَلٰىجُنُوْبِهِمْوَيَتَفَكَّرُوْنَفِيْخَلْقِالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضِرَبَّنَامَاخَلَقْتَهٰذَابَاطِلًاسُبْحٰنَكَفَقِنَاعَذَابَالنَّارِ»[ آل عمران : ۱۹۰، ۱۹۱ ] "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are surely many signs for those of understanding. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; You are exalted, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'" And as is coming ahead in this Surah: « وَخَلَقَاللّٰهُالسَّمٰوٰتِوَالْاَرْضَبِالْحَقِّوَلِتُجْزٰىكُلُّنَفْسٍۭبِمَاكَسَبَتْوَهُمْلَايُظْلَمُوْنَ »[ الجاثیۃ :۲۲] "And Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth, and so that every soul may be recompensed for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged."
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.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
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.
Surely, in the heavens and the earth are many signs for those who believe [2].
[2] Proofs of Tawheed:
After the introduction, the presentation of proofs for the affirmation of Tawheed and the refutation of shirk begins.
The First Sign of Tawheed: The Order and Management of the Universe:
The first proof is this universe and its system. If one reflects even on one aspect of it, it becomes clear that there is no room for the rule of separate gods. It is impossible that the god of clouds is someone else, the god of winds is another, the god of rain is a third, and the god of the sun is yet another. If this were the case, there could never be regularity and harmony in the system of this universe. However, such signs in this universe are only beneficial for the one who is himself a seeker of guidance and desires to attain the knowledge of Allah. But for the one who does not even want to believe in the existence and power of Allah, there is no sign in it for him.