Tafsir of Ad-Dhariyat 51:49

Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51): Verse 49

And of everything We have created pairs, so that you may remember.

Then, the Almighty said: {And of everything We have created pairs} (وَمِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ). This is an argument based on the existence of pairs between things.

The term "pairs" (al-zawjayn) can mean two things:

1. Opposites (Antonyms): Such as male and female, which are opposites. The pairs derived from them (like the male and female of a species) are also considered pairs in this sense.
2. Similar/Like Things (Homologues): Everything has a likeness, an equivalent, an opposite, and a peer.

The logicians interpret "thing" (shay') here as Genus. The minimum number of entities under any genus is two types (species). Therefore, of every genus, He created two types of substance:

• For Substance (Jawhar), He created the Material and the Immaterial (or Abstract).
• Of the Material, He created the Growing (vegetative) and the Inanimate (mineral).
• Of the Growing, He created the Sentient (animal) and the Plant.
• Of the Sentient, He created the Speaking (rational) and the Non-speaking (mute animal).

All of this demonstrates that the Creator is One (a singular entity, fard), and there is no multiplicity within Him.

{so that you may remember} (la'allakum tadhakkarūn):

This remembrance may refer to two things:

1. You may remember that the Creator of pairs cannot have a pair Himself. If He had a pair, He would be contingent (mumkin), meaning He would be created, and thus could not be the Creator.
2. You may remember that the Creator of pairs is not incapable of resurrecting bodies and gathering souls (i.e., He has the power to bring things back, just as He created them in pairs).

Then, the Almighty said:

{So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.} (Fafirrū ilā Allāh, innī lakum minhu nadhīrun mubīn)