Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88:19
سُورَةُ الغَاشِيَةِ · Meccan · Verse 19 of 26
وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ
Translation
how the mountains are raised high,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
These verses gently challenge those who doubt Allah's power and the reality of the Hereafter. The divine address is to these deniers, inviting them to reflect on the world around them as clear proof. Allah Himself speaks, not with anger, but with an interrogative tone that both rebukes their neglect and beckons them to a deeper understanding.
A Call to Look
When Allah says, "وَإِلَى ٱلْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ" (And to the mountains, how they are set up?), the very first word, "وإلى" (and to), is significant. Ibn Ashur, a renowned scholar, explains that using the preposition "إلى" (to) with the verb "to look" implies a profound, focused gaze, not a mere glance. It's an invitation to let one's sight linger and truly settle upon the object, to discern its intricate details. This isn't just about seeing mountains, but about observing them with the intention of understanding Allah's design.
The Firmness of Mountains
The question "كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ" (how they are set up?) is central to this verse. The Arabic word "كَيْفَ" (kayfa), meaning "how," draws our attention to the *manner* and *intricacy* of their creation, not just their existence. It's a call to ponder the underlying wisdom and power. The verb "نُصِبَتْ" (nusibat) is in the passive voice, meaning "they were set up" or "they were erected." Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur point out that the Doer is left unstated because it is implicitly known to be Allah, the Almighty Creator. The chosen word "نُصِبَتْ" itself emphasizes a firm, stable establishment. As both al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain, it means they are "راسخة لا تميل ولا تزول" (rooted, not swaying or collapsing), providing steadfastness and stability to the Earth.
A Sign of Power
The careful choice of "نُصِبَتْ" over a mere synonym like "خُلِقَتْ" (created) highlights the specific quality of mountains: their monumental erection and unwavering stability. This deliberate wording prompts us to marvel at Allah's immense power that places such gigantic, unshakable structures on the Earth. If Allah can create and firmly establish these colossal mountains, with all their details and functions, then His power to resurrect human beings and hold them to account is certainly not to be doubted. The verse serves as a powerful reminder, encouraging us to look at the manifest signs of creation as a pathway to affirming the Creator's unlimited ability.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88:19 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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