Stem نُّطۡفَۃٍ - Quranic Morphology

English - Hazrat Molavi Sher Ali ^ra

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then consider that We have indeed created you from dust, then from a spermdrop, then from clotted blood, then from a lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may make Our power manifest to you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term; then We bring you forth as babes; then We rear you that you may attain to your age of full strength. And there are some of you who are caused to die prematurely, and there are others among you who are driven to the worst part of life with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. And thou seest the earth lifeless, but when We send down water thereon, it stirs and swells, and grows every kind of beauteous vegetation.

اردو ترجمہ مرزا طاہر احمد خلیفة المسیح الرابعؒ

اے لوگو! اگر تم جی اُٹھنے کے بارہ میں شک میں مبتلا ہو تو یقیناً ہم نے تمہیں مٹی سے پیدا کیا تھا پھر نطفہ سے پھر لوتھڑے سے پھر گوشت کے ٹکڑے سے جسے خاص تخلیقی عمل یا عام تخلیقی عمل سے بنایا گیا تا کہ ہم تم پر (تخلیق کے راز) کھول دیں۔ اور ہم جو چاہیں رِحموں کے اندر ایک مقررہ مدت تک ٹھہراتے ہیں پھر ہم تمہیں ایک بچے کے طور پر نکالتے ہیں تا کہ پھر تم اپنی بلوغت کی عمر کو پہنچو۔ اور تم ہی میں سے وہ ہے جس کو وفات دے دی جاتی ہے اور تم ہی میں سے وہ بھی ہے جو ہوش وحواس کھو دینے کی عمر تک پہنچایا جاتا ہے تاکہ علم حاصل کرنے کے بعد کلیۃً علم سے عاری ہوجائے۔ اور تُو زمین کو بے آب وگیاہ پاتا ہے پھر جب ہم اس پر پانی برساتے ہیں تو وہ (نمو کے لحاظ سے) متحرک ہو جاتی ہے اور پھولنے لگتی ہے اور ہر قسم کے ہرے بھرے پُر رونق جوڑے اگاتی ہے۔

French

Ô gens, si vous êtes dans le doute concernant la Résurrection, alors réfléchissez au fait que Nous vous avons certainement créés de poussière, puis d’une goutte de sperme, puis d’un caillot adhérent, puis d’une boule de chair en partie formée et en partie non-formée, afin que Nous vous expliquions clairement le secret de la création. Et Nous faisons rester dans l’utérus ce que Nous voulons pendant un terme fixé ; puis Nous vous faisons sortir sous la forme d’un bébé ; pour qu’ensuite vous atteigniez votre âge de pleine force ; et il y a ceux parmi vous à qui la mort est donnée et il y en a d’autres parmi vous qui sont ramenés à un âge sénile, si tant qu’ils ne savent plus rien après avoir possédé de la connaissance. Et tu vois la terre sans vie, mais lorsque Nous y faisons descendre de l’eau, elle se remue et s’enfle, et fait pousser toutes sortes de splendides couples de végétations.

German

O ihr Menschen, wenn ihr im Zweifel seid über die Auferstehung, so (bedenkt) dass Wir euch aus Erde erschaffen haben, dann aus einem Samentropfen, dann aus einem Blutgerinnsel, dann aus einem Klumpen Fleisch, teils geformt und teils ungeformt, auf dass Wir es euch deutlich machen. Und Wir lassen in den Mutterschößen ruhen, was Wir wollen, bis zu einer bestimmten Frist; dann bringen Wir euch als Kindchen hervor; dann (ziehen Wir euch groß) dass ihr eure Vollkraft erreicht. Und mancher unter euch wird abberufen, und mancher unter euch wird zu einem hinfälligen Greisenalter zurückgeführt, so dass er, nach dem Wissen, nichts mehr weiß. Und du siehst die Erde leblos, doch wenn Wir Wasser über sie niedersenden, dann regt sie sich und schwillt und lässt alle Arten von entzückenden (Pflanzen) hervorsprießen.

Chinese

众人啊! 如果你们怀疑关于复生 (日), 那么, (要记着,) 我先后用泥土、精液、凝结的血块、成形或未成形的肉团创造了你们, 以便我对你们显示 (我的力量)。[a]我使我意欲的留在子宫里直到一个固定的时期; 然后使你们出生为婴儿; (继而使你们发育), 叫你们达至壮年。你们有些人 (在正常寿数内) 死去。[b]有些人活到极为衰老的年龄, 结果他在具有知识之后, 又变成无知识的。你也看到大地 (有时) 毫无生气, [c]但当我在它上面降下 (雨) 水, 它就活动、增大, 生长各种美丽的植物。[853]

Italian

O gente, se dubitate riguardo alla Risurrezione, considerate allora che Noi veramente vi abbiamo creato dalla polvere, quindi da una goccia di sperma, quindi da un grumo di sangue, poi da un pezzo di carne, in parte formata e in parte informe, al fine di rendervi manifesto il Nostro potere. E Noi facciamo rimanere negli uteri ciò che Noi vogliamo, per un periodo determinato; quindi vi facciamo nascere bambini; poi vi facciamo crescere perché in seguito raggiungiate la vostra età di piena maturità. E ci sono quelli tra di voi che muoiono prematuramente e ce ne sono altri tra voi che regrediscono* alla senilità, con la conseguenza che non sanno nulla, dopo aver avuto conoscenza. E tu vedi la terra inerte, ma quando Noi vi facciamo scendere l'acqua, essa si scuote e si solleva e fa germogliare ogni specie di rigogliosa vegetazione.

Spanish

Oh humanos, si tenéis alguna duda sobre la Resurrección, reparad en que os hemos creado en verdad del polvo, más tarde de una gota de esperma, después de sangre coagulada, y por último de un trozo de carne, en parte formado y en parte no formado, para que pudiéramos manifestaros Nuestro Poder. Y hacemos que permanezca en los vientres durante el plazo fijado lo que queremos; después os hacemos nacer como niños para que más tarde alcancéis la edad de plena madurez. Y hay entre vosotros lgunos que mueren y otros que retroceden hasta la senectud,con el resultado de que no saben nada después de haber tenido conocimiento. Y ves la tierra seca y sin vida, pero cuando enviamos el agua sobre ella, se agita y se hincha, y hace crecer toda clase de bella vegetación.

اردو تفسیرِ صغیر

اے لوگو! اگر تم دوبارہ اٹھائے جانے کے متعلق شبہ میں ہو تو (یاد رکھو) ہم نے تم کو پہلے مٹی سے پیدا کیا تھا پھر نطفہ سے۔ پھر ترقی دے کر ایک ایسی حالت سے جو کہ چمٹ جانے کی خاصیت رکھتی تھی۔ پھر ایسی حالت سے کہ وہ ایک بوٹی کے مشابہ تھی۔ کچھ عرصہ تک تو وہ ایک کامل بوٹی کی شکل رہی اور کچھ عرصہ تک ناقص بوٹی کی شکل رہی تا کہ ہم تم پر (حقیقت حال) ظاہر کردیں اور ہم جس چیز کو چاہتے ہیں رحموں میں ایک مدت تک قائم کر دیتے ہیں۔ پھر ہم تم کو ایک بچہ کی شکل میں نکالتے ہیں۔ (پھر بڑھاتے جاتے ہیں) جس کا نتیجہ یہ ہوتا ہے کہ تم اپنی مضبوطی (کی عمر) کو پہنچ جاتے ہو اور تم میں سے بعض ایسے ہوتے ہیں جو اپنی طبعی عمر کو پہنچ کے فوت ہو جاتے ہیں اور بعض تم میں سے ایسے ہوتے ہیں جو اپنی انتہائی بڑھاپے کی عمر کو پہنچ جاتے ہیں۔ تا کہ بہت کچھ علم حاصل کرنے کے بعد بالکل علم سے کورے ہو جائیں۔ اور تو زمین کو دیکھتا ہے کہ وہ (کبھی کبھی) اپنی سب طاقت کھو بیٹھتی ہے۔ پھر جب ہم اس کے اوپر پانی نازل کرتے ہیں تو وہ جوش میں آجاتی ہے اور بڑھنے لگتی ہے اور ہر قسم کی خوبصورت کھیتیاں اگانے لگتی ہے ۔

English - Short Commentary Translation

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then consider that We have indeed created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from clotted blood, then from a lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We make Our power manifest to you. [c]And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term; then We bring you forth as babes; then We rear you that you may attain to your age of full strength. And there are some of you who are caused to die in the normal course, [a]and there are others among you who are kept back till the worst part of life with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. And thou seest the earth lifeless, [b]but when We send down water thereon it stirs and swells and grows every kind of beauteous vegetation.[1932]

English - Five Volume Translation

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then consider that We have indeed created you from dust, then from a sperm drop, then from clotted blood, then from a lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may make Our power manifest to you. [a]And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term; then We bring you forth as babes; then We rear you that you may attain to your age of full strength. And there are some of you who are caused to die prematurely, [b]and there are others among you who are driven to the worst part of life with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. And thou seest the earth lifeless, [c]but when We send down water thereon, it stirs and swells, and grows every kind of beauteous vegetation.[2441]

13:9; 35:12; 41:48.

16:71; 36:69.

16:66; 27:61; 30:49-51; 35:28; 45:6.

Important Words:

تراب (dust) is derived from ترب which means, it became dusted or dusty; he had dust in his hand; he clove to dust or earth; he clove to the dust or earth by means of poverty. تراب means, dust, earth (Lane).

علقة (clotted blood) is derived from علق which has several meanings. علق به means, it stuck fast, clung or adhered to it; it was or became suspended by it; it concerned him or it. علقت المرأة means, the woman became pregnant. علق means, blood or intensely red blood or thick or clotted blood because of its clinging together. علقة signifies a portion of clotted blood or the seminal fluid when it becomes thick clotted blood after which it passes to another stage termed مضغة (Lane).

مضغة (lump of flesh) is derived from مضغ. They say مضغ الطعام i.e. he chewed the food. مضغة means, a piece or bit of flesh or a morsel of flesh; a foetus when it has become like a lump or flesh (Lane & Aqrab).

مخلقة (formed) is derived form خلق for which see 3:50. مضغة مخلقة signifies a foetus when it has become like a lump of flesh perfect or complete in make or of which the make has become apparent (Lane).

ھامدة (lifeless) is active participle in the feminine gender from ھمد which means, he or it died or perished. ھمدت الریح means, the wind became still. ھمدت الارض means, the land became lifeless, without herbage and without rain (Lane & Aqrab).

اھتزت (stirs) is derived from ھز. They say ھزہ i.e. he shook it. اھتز النبات means, the plant or herbage became tall. اھتزت الارضmeans, the land produced herbage or became in motion and produced plants or herbage (Lane & Aqrab). When Sa‘d, a very prominent companion of the Holy Prophet died, he is reported to have exclaimed, اھتز عرش الرحمان لموت سعد بن معاذ i.e. the Throne of the Gracious God shook on account of the death of Sa‘d bin Ma‘adh.

ربت (swells) is fromربا meaning, it increased or augmented; it became high. ربت الارض means, the earth became large and swelled (Lane). See also 2:266 & 3:131.

بھیج (beauteous) is derived from بھج (bahuja) i.e. he or it was or became beauteous or beautiful or goodly or beautiful and bright or splendid; or from بھج (bahija) which means, he was or became joyful, glad or happy. بھج به means, he rejoiced in it or at it. Or it may also be said to have been derived from بھج (bahaja). They say بھجه (bahaja) i.e. it made him joyful, glad or happy. بھیج means, beauteous or beautiful and bright or splendid, having a joyful, glad or happy appearance. بھجة means, beauty or goodliness of a thing or its beauty and brightness or splendour; joyfulness, gladness or happiness of appearance (Lane & Aqrab).

Commentary:

The verse proceeds to give arguments to show that life after death or the resurrection is an established fact. Man’s own creation and physical development is the first argument given in this verse to prove this theme. This creation is a process of evolution, a gradual unfolding, a development from one stage to another, from lifeless matter to a seed, then to a fertilized ovum, then to a foetus and then it culminates in the birth of a perfectly formed human being. But this process of evolution and growth does not stop with man’s birth. It continues. A child grows into a full grown man and then he passes on to old age and then to death which is the flight of the human soul from its physical habitat. This wonderful physical growth of man from a lifeless piece of matter to a fully developed human being constitutes an irrefutable proof that the Creator of man and the Author of all these stages of development possesses the power to give him a new life after he is dead.

The inference seems to be that just as the creation and development of man is a process of evolution and gradual growth, in the same way the progress of Islam will also be gradual and in stages.

After this argument in favour of life after death, another argument given in this verse is taken from nature. The verse says that the earth becomes barren, bleak or dead on account of a long period of drought. There is not a blade of grass to be seen on it. Then God sends down rain. The bleak and barren earth begins to vibrate with new life. This phenomenon also leads to the same conclusion that God Who has the power to make the dead and barren earth vibrate with new life has the power to bring man to life after his death. It also leads to the implied inference that by the advent of Islam, a spiritually dead Arabia will bloom and blossom into new life. See also 23:13-15.

اردو ترجمہ مودودی

لوگو، اگر تمہیں زندگی بعد موت کے بارے میں کچھ شک ہے تو تمہیں معلوم ہو کہ ہم نے تم کو مٹی سے پیدا کیا ہے، پھر نطفے سے، پھر خون کے لوتھڑے سے، پھر گوشت کی بوٹی سے جو شکل والی بھی ہوتی ہے اور بے شکل بھی (یہ ہم اس لیے بتا رہے ہیں) تاکہ تم پر حقیقت واضح کر دیں ہم جس (نطفے) کو چاہتے ہیں ایک وقت خاص تک رحموں میں ٹھیرائے رکھتے ہیں، پھر تم کو ایک بچّے کی صورت میں نکال لاتے ہیں (پھر تمہیں پرورش کرتے ہیں) تاکہ تم اپنی پُوری جوانی کو پہنچو اور تم میں سے کوئی پہلے ہی واپس بلا لیا جاتا ہے اور کوئی بدترین عمر کی طرف پھیر دیا جاتا ہے تاکہ سب کچھ جاننے کے بعد پھر کچھ نہ جانے اور تم دیکھتے ہو کہ زمین سوکھی پڑی ہے، پھر جہاں ہم نے اُس پر مینہ برسایا کہ یکایک وہ پھبک اٹھی اور پھول گئی اور اس نے ہر قسم کی خوش منظر نباتات اگلنی شروع کر دی

English - Sahih

O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind.

اردو ترجمہ احمد علی

اے لوگو اگر تمہیں دوبارہ زندہ ہونے میں شک ہے تو ہم نے تمہیں مٹی سے پھر قطرہ سے پھر جمے ہوئے خون سے پھر گوشت کی بوٹی نقشہ بنی ہوئی اور بغیر نقشہ بنی ہوئی سے بنایا تاکہ ہم تمہارے سامنے ظاہر کر دیں اور ہم ر حم میں جس کو چاہتے ہیں ایک مدت معین تک ٹھیراتے ہیں پھر ہم تمہیں بچہ بنا کر باہر لاتے ہیں پھر تاکہ تم اپنی جوانی کو پہنچو اور کچھ تم میں سے مرجاتے ہیں اور کچھ تم میں سے نکمی عمر تک پہنچائے جاتے ہیں کہ سمجھ بوجھ کا درجہ پاکر ناسمجھی کی حالت میں جا پڑتا ہے اور تم زمین کوسوکھی دیکھتے ہو پھر جب ہم اس پر پانی برساتے ہیں تو تر و تازہ ہو جاتی ہے او رہر قسم کے خوش نمانباتات اُگ آتے ہیں

English - Talal Itani

O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then indeed, We We created you from dust, then from a semen-drop then from a clinging substance then from an embryonic lump, formed and unformed, that We may make clear to you. And We cause to remain in the wombs what We will for a term appointed, then We bring you out (as) a child, [then] that you may reach [your] maturity. And among you (is he) who dies, and among you (is he) who is returned to the most abject age, so that not he knows, after having known, anything. And you see the earth barren then when We send down on it water, it gets stirred and it swells and grows of every kind beautiful.

Chinese Commentary ^*

Cross Refs:

a

13:9; 35:12; 41:48.

b

16:71; 36:69.

c

16:66; 27:61; 30:49-51; 35:28; 45:6.

853

人类的创造与身体的成长, 形成了有死后生命的强有力的依据。人类的创造是一种演化过程, 是逐步形成的, 是阶段性逐步发展的。它从无生命物质发展成种子, 受精卵, 胎儿的发育, 直到完美形体的人出生为止。然而, 演化过程并不随着人类的产生而停止。演化过程不断继续。从无生命物质发展成为一个完善的人。人类身体的奇妙成长是一个无可辩驳的证据。它证明了人类的创造主和使人类具有这些演化阶段的创造者具有在人们死后仍能给他们新生命的权能。这一论断也说明精神世界的发展也同人类的创造与身体的成长一样, 是逐步演化、发展而成的。另一依据来自自然界, 当雨水落到地上时, 荒芜、凄凉、死气沉沉的大地由于新的生命开始而苏醒过来。这里可得出同样的结论: 安拉, 他具有使死寂与荒芜的大地由于新生命的出现而复苏的权能, 也具有在人们死后再给他们新生命的权能。

اردہ تفصیرِ صغیر نوٹس ^*

English - Arberry

O men, if you are in doubt as to the Uprising, surely We created you of dust then of a sperm-drop, then of a blood clot, then of a lump of flesh, formed and unformed that We may make clear to you. And We establish in the wombs what We will, till a stated term, then We deliver you as infants, then that you may come of age; and some of you die, and some of you are kept back unto the vilest state of life, that after knowing somewhat, they may know nothing. And thou beholdest the earth blackened, then, when We send down water upon it, it quivers, and swells, and puts forth herbs of every joyous kind.

English - Maududi

O mankind! If you have any doubt concerning Resurrection, then know that it is surely We Who created you from dust, then from a drop of sperm, then from a clot of blood, then from a little lump of flesh, some of it shapely and other shapeless. (We are rehearsing this) that We may make the reality clear to you. We cause (the drop of sperm) that We please to remain in the wombs till an appointed time. We bring you forth as infants (and nurture you) that you may come of age. Among you is he that dies (at a young age) and he who is kept back to the most abject age so that after once having known, he reaches a stage when he knows nothing. You see the earth dry and barren and then no sooner than We send down water upon it, it begins to quiver and swell and brings forth every kind of beauteous vegetation.

English - Ahmed Ali

If you have any doubt, O men, about being raised to life again, (remember) that We created you from dust, then a drop of semen, then an embryo, then a chewed up lump of flesh shaped and shapeless, that We may reveal (the various steps) to you. We keep what We please in the womb for a certain time, then you come out as a child, then reach the prime of age. Some of you die, some reach the age of dotage when they forget what they knew, having known it once. You see the earth all withered, then We send down rain upon it, and it bestirs itself, swells, and brings forth every kind of beauteous verdure.

English - Yusuf Ali

O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).

English - Five Volume Commentary ^*

Cross Refs:

a

13:9; 35:12; 41:48.

b

16:71; 36:69.

c

16:66; 27:61; 30:49-51; 35:28; 45:6.

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