Surah Al-Ma'arij 70:40
سُورَةُ المَعَارِجِ · Meccan · Verse 40 of 44
فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ وَٱلْمَغَٰرِبِ إِنَّا لَقَٰدِرُونَ
Translation
and, by the Lord of every sunrise and sunset, We have the power
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wisdom
This verse opens with a powerful affirmation from Allah, swearing by Himself, the Lord of all points of sunrise and sunset, to declare His absolute ability. It directly addresses those who denied the Resurrection and scoffed at the Prophet (peace be upon him), challenging their disbelief with an undeniable truth about divine power.
An Oath of Power
The phrase "فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ" (So I swear) is an emphatic oath. As al-Qurtubi explains, the "la" here is for emphasis, confirming that Allah is indeed swearing. He swears "بِرَبِّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ وَٱلْمَغَٰرِبِ" (by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests). This isn't just one east and one west, but the countless points where the sun, moon, and other celestial bodies rise and set throughout the year, each day, each moment. This constant, precise movement of the vast cosmos is a grand, continuous testament to Allah's boundless power and intricate design. As al-Saadi notes, the very existence and order of these celestial bodies are "آيات باهرات على البعث" (clear signs for the Resurrection).
The Unquestionable Ability
The oath culminates in the declaration "إِنَّا لَقَٰدِرُونَ" (Indeed, We are Able). This is a foundational Quranic maxim, a statement of Allah's complete and perfect capability. The verse implies that if Allah can orchestrate the majestic and complex dance of the sun, moon, and stars across their countless risings and settings, then surely resurrecting human beings, or any other act, is well within His power. Al-Munir explains this as a proof of Allah's "كمال قدرته تعالى على الإيجاد والإعدام" (perfect power of creation and destruction).
Enduring Lessons
For us today, this verse offers profound general lessons. It invites us to look at the daily sunrise and sunset not as mere routine, but as a miracle unfolding before our eyes, a continuous display of the Creator's might and wisdom.
1. Awe and Humility: Pondering the vastness of the "Easts and Wests" and the precision of their movements should fill our hearts with awe for Allah. It reminds us of our own smallness in the grand scheme of creation, fostering humility.
2. Certainty in Allah's Power: The maxim "إِنَّا لَقَٰدِرُونَ" should be a source of immense comfort and strength. Whatever challenges we face, whether personal or collective, this verse reminds us that nothing is beyond Allah's capability. If He can govern the cosmos, He can certainly bring ease to our difficulties, guide our affairs, and fulfill His promises.
3. Conviction in Accountability: The context of this verse is a response to those denying the Resurrection. Thus, the display of Allah's power over the cosmos serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection and subsequent accountability are absolute certainties. This should motivate us to live with greater mindfulness and purpose, knowing that we will ultimately return to the One who is truly Able to bring us back to life.
Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ma'arij 70:40 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 Al-Ma'arij 70:40 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.