سُوْرَةُ الرَّحْمٰنِ

Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55) — Ayah 14

The Beneficent · Medinan · Juz 27 · Page 531

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلْصَـٰلٍ كَٱلْفَخَّارِ ﴿14﴾
He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.
خَلَقَ khalaqa He created
ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ l-insāna the man
مِن min from
صَلْصَـٰلٍۢ ṣalṣālin clay
كَٱلْفَخَّارِ kal-fakhāri like the pottery

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 14) {خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ كَالْفَخَّارِ: ’’صَلْصَلَةٌ‘‘} The sound that is produced by striking or rattling something, as mentioned in the Sahih Bukhari hadith (2) regarding {’’صَلْصَلَةُ الْجَرْسِ‘‘}. {’’ صَلْصَالٍ ‘‘} means ringing, rattling (clay). Some say it is derived from {’’ صِلُّ اللَّحْمِ‘‘}, which means for flesh to become putrid. The meaning is putrid clay. For further explanation of the verse, see Surah Al-Hijr (26).

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.

14. 1. صَلصَالٍ is dry clay in which there is sound. فَخَّار is clay baked in fire, which is called earthenware. By "human" is meant Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), whose figure was first made from clay and then Allah breathed spirit into it. Then from the left rib of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), Hawwa was created, and then from both of them the human race began.

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.

14. He created man from sounding clay like pottery [12].

[12]
The Stages of Creation of the Figure of Sayyiduna Adam:

This is the seventh and final stage in the creation of the figure of Sayyiduna Adam, and the order of these seven stages is as follows:
(1) ﴿تراب﴾ meaning dry clay [المومن : 67]
(2) ﴿ارض﴾ meaning ordinary soil or earth [نوح : 17]
(3) ﴿طين﴾ meaning wet clay or mortar [الانعام : 2]
(4) ﴿طِيْنٍ لاَّزِبٍ﴾ meaning sticky and adhesive clay [الصافات : 11]
(5) ﴿حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُوْنٍ﴾ meaning foul-smelling mud [الحجر : 26]
(6) ﴿صَلَصَالٍ﴾ meaning pottery or clay baked by heat [ايضاً]
(7) ﴿صَلْصَالٍ كَاْلفَخَّارٍ﴾ meaning a piece of pottery that rings with a sound [الرحمن : 14]
Then, when Allah Almighty breathed into it from His spirit, it became a human being. He was made the one to whom the angels prostrated. Then from him his spouse was created [4: 1]
After that, his progeny was continued from a humble fluid, for which the word "nutfah" is used in other places.