aw khalqan mimmā yakburu fī ṣudūrikum fasayaqūlūna man yuʿīdunā quli alladhī faṭarakum awwala marratin fasayun'ghiḍūna ilayka ruūsahum wayaqūlūna matā huwa qul ʿasā an yakūna qarīban
Translation
Or [any] creation of that which is great752 within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you753 and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -
Notes
[752] Such as the heavens and earth.
[753] In disbelief and ridicule.
Verse 51 of Surah Al-Isra (17:51), a Meccan surah, is in juz 15, on page 287 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 73 reciters.
Listen to verse 51 of Surah Al-Isra
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Tafsir of verse 51
Al-Mukhtasar
Or become some other creation greater than them amongst that which is considered great in your hearts. Allah shall restore you just as He initiated you and He shall bring you back to life just as He created you in the first instance. These opponents will say: Who will bring us back to life after we die? Say to them: He who created you in the first instance without any precedent shall restore you. Then they will shake their heads, mocking your response to them, and say unbelievingly: When will this restoration be? Say to them: Perhaps it is near, as everything which is coming will soon arrive.
or any other substance you think is harder44 to bring back to life.” They will then say, “Who will bring us back [to life]?” Say, “The One Who created you the first time.” They will shake their heads45 at you and say, “When will that be?” Say, “Perhaps it is soon.”
Notes
[44] Such as the heavens and the earth.
[45] In ridicule and disbelief.
"Or some created thing that is yet greater (or harder) in your breasts (thoughts to be resurrected, even then you shall be resurrected)." Then, they will say: "Who shall bring us back (to life)?" Say: "He Who created you first!" Then, they will shake their heads at you and say: "When will that be?" Say: "Perhaps it is near!"
Or some created thing that is yet greater in your thoughts! Then they will say: Who shall bring us back (to life). Say: He Who created you at the first. Then will they shake their heads at thee, and say: When will it be? Say: It will perhaps be soon;
"Or created matter which, in your minds, is hardest (to be raised up),- (Yet shall ye be raised up)!" then will they say: "Who will cause us to return?" Say: "He who created you first!" Then will they wag their heads towards thee, and say, "When will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!
Or some other creature of those which are too hard (to receive life) in your minds! But they will say: Who will return us? Say: Who created you at first. Still they will shake their heads at you and say: When will it be? Say: Maybe it has drawn nigh.
Or (some) creation from among that which is (yet) greatly (admired) in your breasts!" Then they will soon say, "Who will bring us back?" Say, "The one who originated you the first time." Then they will wag their heads at you and they will say, "When will it be?" Say, "It may be drawing near."
And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Those who do not believe in it are impatient for it, but those who believe are fearful of it and know that it is the truth. Unquestionably, those who dispute concerning the Hour are in extreme error.
Verses with similar wording
They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.
