Surah At-Taghabun 64:2
سُورَةُ التَّغَابُنِ · Medinan · Verse 2 of 18
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌۭ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
Translation
It is He who created you, yet some of you disbelieve and some believe: God sees everything you do.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse from Surah At-Taghabun begins by speaking directly to all of us, "He is the One who created you" (هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ). It’s a foundational truth: Allah, and no other, is our Originator, bringing us into existence from nothing. This exclusive role as Creator, emphasized by the phrase "the One who" (الَّذِى), highlights a unique and profound bond between us and our Master, as Ibn Ashur notes. This initial statement reminds us of the immense blessing of existence itself, a gift from Allah alone.
The Human Choice
Following this declaration of creation, the verse immediately presents a profound reality: "then among you is a disbeliever, and among you is a believer" (فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌۭ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌۭ). The word "then" (فَ) here acts as a branching, showing the diverse paths people take after being created. The Quran uses the stark contrast, a linguistic device called *ṭibāq*, between "kāfir" (disbeliever) and "mu'min" (believer) to highlight these two fundamentally different responses to Allah's blessings and guidance. Scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari observe that the word "kāfir" is mentioned first because, at the time of revelation, disbelief was the predominant stance among many of the addressees, serving as a poignant reminder and a gentle warning. This choice to believe or disbelieve is presented as an outcome of our existence.
The All-Seeing Witness
The verse concludes with an affirmation of divine knowledge: "And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do" (وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ). The Divine Name "Baṣīr" (All-Seeing) signifies Allah's perfect and comprehensive awareness, not just of what is visible, but of all actions, intentions, and even the deepest secrets of our hearts. Ibn Ashur explains that this knowledge is one of "unveiling," where nothing is hidden, like observing something firsthand. This includes the unseen "works of the hearts," such as faith or disbelief. This closing phrase is a powerful reminder that our choices, whether of belief or disbelief, are fully known to Allah. It implies accountability for our actions, assuring believers of recompense for their faith and serving as a warning to disbelievers regarding their choices. Allah, in His wisdom, has created humanity with the capacity for choice, and He remains fully aware of every path we take.
Sources: al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
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