Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:18
سُورَةُ الزُّخۡرُفِ · Meccan · Verse 18 of 89
أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا۟ فِى ٱلْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍۢ
Translation
‘Someone who is brought up amongst trinkets, who cannot put together a clear argument?’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse opens with a rhetorical question, challenging a deep-seated contradiction in the hearts of those who attributed daughters to Allah, while despising daughters themselves. Allah is addressing the disbelievers, revealing the absurdity of their beliefs through their own prejudices. The tone is one of sharp rebuke and incredulity.
The Question of Finery
The verse begins, `أَوَمَن يُنَشَّؤُا فِي الْحِلْيَةِ` (Awaman yunashsha'u fi al-hilyah), which means "Or is it he who is brought up in finery?" The word `يُنَشَّؤُا` (yunashsha'u) means "to be raised" or "to be brought up." As scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari explain, this particular form emphasizes the nurturing and upbringing from the very beginning of existence. It highlights how certain individuals – referring to daughters in that culture – were accustomed to `الْحِلْيَةِ` (al-hilyah), which means "adornment" or "finery," from early childhood. This included things like being adorned with jewelry and other embellishments, even having their ears pierced for earrings from a young age. This choice of words paints a vivid picture of a life characterized by softness and care, distinct from the ruggedness expected of men in their society.
The Challenge of Argument
The verse continues with `وَهُوَ فِي الْخِصَامِ غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ` (wa huwa fi al-khisāmi ghayru mubīn), meaning "and he is in dispute not able to articulate clearly." Here, `الْخِصَامِ` (al-khisām) refers to "dispute," "argument," or "contention." Al-Zamakhshari notes it means when one needs to debate or contend with opponents. The phrase `غَيْرُ مُبِينٍ` (ghayru mubīn) signifies being "unable to articulate," "not clear," or "not able to present a strong argument." In their societal view, women were perceived as weak in verbal argumentation and unable to powerfully present their case. Ibn Ashur mentions a quote that women, when arguing, often inadvertently turn the argument against themselves. While `مَن` (man) grammatically uses a masculine pronoun `هُوَ` (huwa), it is understood to refer to the female gender, in accordance with the common usage for the word `man` when the gender is understood from context.
The Heart of the Matter
Through this specific wording, Allah exposes their hypocrisy. They assigned to God beings whom they themselves considered weak, adorned, and unable to articulate in disputes – qualities they found undesirable for themselves, to the point of disliking the birth of daughters. The intricate word choices highlight not just the physical upbringing but also the perceived societal role and capability, making their contradiction stark and undeniable. This isn't just a critique of their specific belief, but an invitation to reflect on our own prejudices and how they might distort our understanding of God and the world around us.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:18 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:18 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.