Tafsir of Qaf 50:16

Tafsir of Surah Qaf, Verse 16

Qaf (16): And We have certainly created man...

Regarding the Almighty's saying: {And We have certainly created man} (Wa laqad khalaqna al-insān), there are two interpretations:

1. It is the beginning of an argument based on the creation of man. This aligns with our previous statement that {Did We grow weary with the first creation?} (referring to the creation of the heavens and the earth).
2. It is a completion of the explanation regarding the creation of man. In this case, the "first creation" refers to the initial creation of man.

Alternatively, it can be understood as a reminder of a matter that necessitates their return (from their disbelief/denial). This is because when the Almighty said: {And We have certainly created man, and We know what his soul whispers to him}, this indicates that nothing is hidden from Him, and He knows the innermost thoughts of their hearts.

And His saying: {And We are nearer to him than [his] jugular vein} (Wa naḥnu aqrabu ilayhi min ḥabl al-warīd).

This is an explanation of the perfection of His knowledge.

• The warīd (jugular vein) is the artery through which blood flows, reaching every part of the body.
• Allah's proximity is greater than that, because the vein is obscured by flesh and hidden from view, whereas nothing is hidden from the knowledge of Allah.
• It is also possible that {And We are nearer to him than [his] jugular vein} refers to the singularity of His power over him—His command flows within him just as blood flows in his veins.

{When the two receivers receive, one on the right and one on the left, seated. Not a word does he utter except that with him is an observer, ready [to record].}

(Idh yatalaqqā al-mutalaqqiyāni 'ani yamīni wa 'ani shamāli qa'īd. Mā yalfaẓu min qawlin illā ladayhi raqībun 'atīd.)