سُوْرَةُ الْاَنْۣبِيَآءِ
Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 16
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ ﴿16﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَا
wamā
And not
خَلَقْنَا
khalaqnā
We created
ٱلسَّمَآءَ
l-samāa
the heavens
وَٱلْأَرْضَ
wal-arḍa
and the earth
وَمَا
wamā
and what
بَيْنَهُمَا
baynahumā
(is) between them
لَـٰعِبِينَ
lāʿibīna
(for) playing
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 16){ وَ مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَآءَ وَ الْاَرْضَ … :} In the previous verses, the destruction of the oppressive towns was mentioned; now its wisdom is explained, that it is not the case that We created this earth and sky in play, so that people may commit oppression and tyranny as they wish and there be no accountability for them. Rather, in their creation there are countless wisdoms and benefits of Ours, and in the universe, the process of reward or punishment for every action is ongoing. Therefore, if these oppressors were destroyed, it was in complete accordance with the law of justice and reward and punishment. You should prepare for accountability in the next life.
