سُوْرَةُ نُوْحٍ
Surah Nooh (71) — Ayah 14
وَقَدْ خَلَقَكُمْ أَطْوَارًا ﴿14﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
While He has created you in (different) stages [i.e. first Nutfah, then ‘Alaqah and then Mudghah, see (V.23:13,14)].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَقَدْ
waqad
And indeed
خَلَقَكُمْ
khalaqakum
He created you
أَطْوَارًا
aṭwāran
(in) stages
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.
Even though He has created you through various stages [7].
[7]
The Meaning of ﴿اَطْوَارًا﴾: The Stages Passed by Adam and the Children of Adam:
﴿اَطْوَارًا﴾ ﴿طَوْر﴾ refers to such a state of something which, according to estimation, requires gradual change after some period. And ﴿تَطَوُّرٍ﴾ means to change from one state to another or the next state. If one reflects, man is nothing but a collection and manifestation of stages. Allah created him from clay. So, He passed him through seven stages: (1) dry clay, (2) then it was made into wet clay or mud, (3) then it was made into sticky or adhesive or slippery clay, (4) then it was fermented until it developed a stench, (5) then it was dried, (6) then it was baked with heat, (7) until it became clay that would ring like pottery. From this clay, the figure of Adam was made, then Allah breathed into it the soul, so it became not just a living creature but a creature possessing intellect, discernment, will, and choice. Then, his progeny was continued through a drop of fluid. Lifeless things produced from the earth became the food of man. From these foods, the drop of fluid was formed. When this drop of fluid settled in the womb in the form of pregnancy, it passed through seven stages until, as a living, conscious human being, it came out of the mother's womb. Then, every new day is a new stage for him, and over all these stages, the constant and all-encompassing control belongs only to Allah. Despite knowing all these things, the way you have considered Allah to be insignificant, how great an injustice is this?
[7]
The Meaning of ﴿اَطْوَارًا﴾: The Stages Passed by Adam and the Children of Adam:
﴿اَطْوَارًا﴾ ﴿طَوْر﴾ refers to such a state of something which, according to estimation, requires gradual change after some period. And ﴿تَطَوُّرٍ﴾ means to change from one state to another or the next state. If one reflects, man is nothing but a collection and manifestation of stages. Allah created him from clay. So, He passed him through seven stages: (1) dry clay, (2) then it was made into wet clay or mud, (3) then it was made into sticky or adhesive or slippery clay, (4) then it was fermented until it developed a stench, (5) then it was dried, (6) then it was baked with heat, (7) until it became clay that would ring like pottery. From this clay, the figure of Adam was made, then Allah breathed into it the soul, so it became not just a living creature but a creature possessing intellect, discernment, will, and choice. Then, his progeny was continued through a drop of fluid. Lifeless things produced from the earth became the food of man. From these foods, the drop of fluid was formed. When this drop of fluid settled in the womb in the form of pregnancy, it passed through seven stages until, as a living, conscious human being, it came out of the mother's womb. Then, every new day is a new stage for him, and over all these stages, the constant and all-encompassing control belongs only to Allah. Despite knowing all these things, the way you have considered Allah to be insignificant, how great an injustice is this?
