Tafsir of An-Nahl 16:48

Surah An-Nahl 16:48

ﲂ ﲃ ﲄ ﲅ ﲆ ﲇ ﲈ ﲉ ﲊ ﲋ ﲌ ﲍ ﲎ ﲏ ﲐ ﲑ ﲒ

Have they not considered what things Allah has created? Their shadows incline to the right and to the left, prostrating to Allah, while they are humble.

Tafsir

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Verse range: 16:48

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Everything prostrates to Allah Allah says:

أو لم يروا إلى ما خلق الله من شيء يتفيٲ ظﻼله عن اليمين والشمايل سجدا لله وهم داخرون

Have they not observed things that Allah has created: (how) their shadows shift from right to left, prostrating to Allah, while they are humble! Allah informs us about His might, majesty and pride, meaning that all things submit themselves to Him and every created being - animate and inanimate, as well as the responsible - humans and Jinns, and the angels - all humble themselves before Him. He tells us that everything that has a shadow leaning to the right and the left, i.e., in the morning and the evening, is by its shadow, prostrating to Allah. Mujahid said, "When the sun passes its zenith, everything prostrates to Allah, may He be glorified.'' This was also said by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others

وهم داخرون

while they are humble, means, they are in a state of humility. Mujahid also said: "The prostration of every thing is its shadow,'' and he mentioned the mountains and said that their prostrations are their shadows. Abu Ghalib Ash-Shaybani said: "The waves of the sea are its prayers.'' It is as if reason is attributed to these inanimate objects when they are described as prostrating, so Allah says: