سُوْرَةُ الذَّارِياتِ

Surah Adh-Dhaariyat (51) — Ayah 48

The Winnowing Winds · Meccan · Juz 27 · Page 522

وَٱلْأَرْضَ فَرَشْنَـٰهَا فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَـٰهِدُونَ ﴿48﴾
And We have spread out the earth: how Excellent Spreader (thereof) are We!
وَٱلْأَرْضَ wal-arḍa And the earth
فَرَشْنَـٰهَا farashnāhā We have spread it
فَنِعْمَ faniʿ'ma how excellent
ٱلْمَـٰهِدُونَ l-māhidūna (are) the Spreaders

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 48) ➊ {وَ الْاَرْضَ فَرَشْنٰهَا:} The spreading of the earth, like the making of the sky, has also been mentioned as evidence of the ability to resurrect. And in {’’ وَ الْاَرْضَ فَرَشْنٰهَا ‘‘}, instead of {’’وَفَرَشْنَا الْأَرْضَ‘‘}, the same point is considered as in {’’ وَ السَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنٰهَا ‘‘}. In the creation of the earth, instead of mentioning its roundness—which was not something everyone could understand—the point is mentioned that is within everyone's observation and use, and from which all benefit. Because if it were uneven and rough, it would not be possible for them or their animals to live on it, nor could they sit, lie down, or walk on it, and there would be no concept of the pleasant life and comfort that Allah Almighty has granted His servants by spreading out the earth.

{ فَنِعْمَ الْمٰهِدُوْنَ: ’’أَيْ نَحْنُ‘‘} That is, We are very good at spreading. In these verses, the plural of majesty (We) is used to express the greatness of Allah Almighty.

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.

48. 1. That is, it has been spread out like a carpet.

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.

48. And the earth—We spread it out, and how excellently We spread it [42].

[42]
How is the Earth a Cradle?

That is, the surface of the earth was made level so that people and other animals could move about on it with ease. Then a fertile layer was placed on the surface of the earth, in which the power of growth was instilled so that those living on the earth could be provided with food. The earth was kept at such a distance from the sun that the living beings residing on it would not be destroyed by its heat, nor was it kept so far that they would freeze to death from the cold. Furthermore, all of man's essential needs—food and drink, clothing, shelter, and burial—were made dependent on the earth. In this way, man became capable of benefiting from most things in the universe, advancing in every field of life, and remaining settled on this earth until the Day of Judgment.