Juz 17: Al-Anbiyāʾ and Al-Ḥajj
Section 13 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
13. Human Creation and Resurrection: Stages of Life | Verses: Al-Hajj 22:5-7
Among the most compelling proofs Allah (swt) presents for resurrection is the elaborate process of human creation. In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah addresses those who doubt the reality of resurrection by directing their attention to their own origins and development:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّنَ الْبَعْثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضْغَةٍ مُّخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ
“O mankind, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then (consider that) We created you from dust, then from a drop of semen, then from a clot, then from a piece of flesh, shaped or unshaped, so that We manifest (Our power) to you.”
This verse serves as a powerful response to those who deny resurrection. Allah (swt) details the intricate stages of human creation, beginning with the soil from which Adam (peace be upon him) was created, establishing humanity's initial origin. From Adam's progeny, Allah then creates each person from a nutfah (drop of fluid), which transforms into 'alaqah (a clinging clot), followed by mudghah (a morsel-like lump of flesh).
The verse continues, explaining the completion of this marvelous development:
وَنُقِرُّ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ نُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ ۖ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ لِكَيْلَا يَعْلَمَ مِن بَعْدِ عِلْمٍ شَيْئًا
“And We retain in the wombs what We will to a specified term. Then We bring you out as infants, then (We nurture you) so that you reach your maturity. And among you, there is one who dies, and among you, there is one who is carried to the worst part of the age, so that he knows nothing after having knowledge.”
Here, Allah (swt) elaborates on the continuation of life's journey. After describing the prenatal development, the verse speaks of how Allah maintains the embryo in the womb until the appointed term of birth. Then comes emergence as an infant, followed by growth to maturity and strength. The human journey does not end there – some die earlier, while others reach extreme old age characterized by ardhal al-'umr (senility and decline), where one returns to a state of dependence and diminished cognition after previously possessing knowledge and capabilities.
This regression in old age is a matter from which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sought refuge. He would supplicate: "O Allah, I seek Your protection from being returned to the most decrepit old age."
The argument is compelling – the One who created humans through these elaborate stages from mere dust and fluid, who orchestrated this sophisticated development, who brings forth the child, grants strength, and allows some to decline into senility – can certainly resurrect humanity after death.
The verse concludes with another sign of Allah's power:
وَتَرَى الْأَرْضَ هَامِدَةً فَإِذَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنبَتَتْ مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍ بَهِيجٍ
“And you see the land barren. Then when We send down water on it, it stirs and swells and puts forth every pleasant pair (of vegetation).”
This parallel between earth's revival and human resurrection reinforces the argument. Just as barren land springs to life with rainfall, Allah will resurrect lifeless bodies. The evidence is irrefutable, leading to the logical conclusion in the subsequent verse:
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“That is because Allah is the truth, and that He gives life to the dead, and that He is powerful over everything.”
Through these verses, Allah (swt) presents a rational, observable argument for resurrection that no intellectually honest person could deny. The complex creation of humans, with its precise stages and transformations, stands as undeniable testimony to the ability of Allah to recreate us after death.