سُوْرَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Surah Al-Baqara (2) — Ayah 29
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَسَوَّىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍ ۚ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿29﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He rose over (Istawâ) towards the heaven and made them seven heavens and He is the All-Knower of everything.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
هُوَ
huwa
He
ٱلَّذِى
alladhī
(is) the One Who
خَلَقَ
khalaqa
created
لَكُم
lakum
for you
مَّا
mā
what
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلْأَرْضِ
l-arḍi
the earth
جَمِيعًۭا
jamīʿan
all
ثُمَّ
thumma
Moreover
ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ
is'tawā
He turned
إِلَى
ilā
to
ٱلسَّمَآءِ
l-samāi
the heaven
فَسَوَّىٰهُنَّ
fasawwāhunna
and fashioned them
سَبْعَ
sabʿa
seven
سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ ۚ
samāwātin
heavens
وَهُوَ
wahuwa
And He
بِكُلِّ
bikulli
of every
شَىْءٍ
shayin
thing
عَلِيمٌۭ
ʿalīmun
(is) All-Knowing
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 29) ➊ This is a mention of Allah’s further favors to express amazement at man’s disbelief: everything that is in the earth, He alone created, and He created it for you; then He perfected the heaven (i.e., the height, the vast space)s and made them seven heavens. How can you disbelieve in such a benefactor? He is the All-Knowing of everything; even your disbelief is not hidden from Him, so consider your own end.
➋ From this verse, it is understood that the earth was created before the heaven (i.e., the height, the vast space)s. This is also proven by verses 9 to 12 of Surah Ha Mim Sajdah, but in Surah Nazi‘at: { « وَ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذٰلِكَ دَحٰىهَا » } apparently contradicts this. For reconciliation, see Surah Nazi‘at (30).
➌ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Here, in the context of {”اسْتَوٰٓى“}, the meaning of intending and turning attention is taken, because it is made transitive with {’’ اِلَى ‘‘ }.
➍ This verse is evidence that everything in the earth, as a whole, is for the benefit of mankind. This does not mean that everything on earth is lawful for every person; rather, this benefit must be taken under the commands of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
➋ From this verse, it is understood that the earth was created before the heaven (i.e., the height, the vast space)s. This is also proven by verses 9 to 12 of Surah Ha Mim Sajdah, but in Surah Nazi‘at: { « وَ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذٰلِكَ دَحٰىهَا » } apparently contradicts this. For reconciliation, see Surah Nazi‘at (30).
➌ Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Here, in the context of {”اسْتَوٰٓى“}, the meaning of intending and turning attention is taken, because it is made transitive with {’’ اِلَى ‘‘ }.
➍ This verse is evidence that everything in the earth, as a whole, is for the benefit of mankind. This does not mean that everything on earth is lawful for every person; rather, this benefit must be taken under the commands of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
