Al-An'aam 6:101

"[He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion [i.e., wife] and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing."

Meaning of Badi`

بَدِيعُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ

(He is the Badi` of the heavens and the earth) Meaning He originated, created, invented and brought them into existence without precedence, as Mujahid and As-Suddi said. This is why the word for innovation - Bid`ah - comes from it, because it is something that did not have a precedence.

أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لَّهُ صَـحِبَةٌ

(How can He have children when He has no wife) for the child is the offspring of two compatible spouses. Allah does not have an equal, none of His creatures are similar to Him, for He alone created the entire creation. Allah said;

وَقَالُواْ اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَلَداً - لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئاً إِدّاً

(And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son." Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.) 19:88-89, until,

وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَرْداً

(And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection.)19:95.

وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ وهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

(He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.) He has created everything and He is All-Knower of all things. How can He have a wife from His creation who is suitable for His majesty, when there is none like Him How can He have a child then Verily, Allah is Glorified above having a son.

Аллах сотворил небеса и землю совершенным образом. Он сделал их непохожими на все остальные творения, придал им прекрасный облик и установил на них абсолютный порядок. Даже самые благоразумные мужи не смогли бы придумать нечто более прекрасное и восхитительное, чем эти творения. Аллах же сотворил их самостоятельно, и никто другой не принимал участие в их сотворении. Как может быть у Аллаха ребенок, если Он - Господь Бог и совершенно не испытывает нужды? У Него нет супруги, и Он не нуждается в Своих творениях, тогда как все они испытывают в Нем острую нужду при любых обстоятельствах. Ребенок обязательно должен походить на своего родителя. Аллах же является Творцом всего сущего, и среди творений нет такого, которое бы обладало хотя бы одним качеством, подобным Его божественным качествам. После упоминания о сотворении Им всего сущего Аллах поведал о Своем всеобъемлющем знании. Упоминание о нем после сотворения само по себе является логическим аргументом в пользу божественного знания, потому что совершенный порядок во Вселенной и изумительный облик творений свидетельствуют о безграничности знания Творца и совершенстве Его мудрости. Всевышний сказал: «Неужели этого не будет знать Тот, Кто сотворил, если Он - Проницательный (или Добрый), Сведущий?» (67:14); «Конечно, ведь Он - Творец, Знающий» (36:81). Таков Аллах, Который создал творения и предопределил события.

Commentary

The contents of this verse present a unique concern for thematic order. It will be noticed that three kinds of universes have been mentioned here: The low, the high and the atmosphere - that is, what generates in what we know as the Biosphere. The description was initiated with the mention of that which is on the lower level because it is closer to us. Then, it was split in two parts. One part of the statement covered vegetation which grows on the land, plants and trees and gardens. The other part featured life forms as beasts, human beings and animals. The first part was given precedence because it is more obvious as compared to the other. Then comes the case of that which has been made to come after, the other part. This is different. It has Ruh, soul or spirit. It is deep, depends on progression from the sperm to its various stages and attending conditions, something allied with the comprehension, diagnosis and judgment of physicians - contrary to the case of vegetation which, in its growth, flowering and ripening etc., is observable commonly. Then, mentioned there was the atmosphere and its life support system, the morning and the evening. Then, came the mention of what is higher, the sun, the moon, and the stars. After that, since what is at the lower level is observed more frequently, the subject was repeated and made the concluding statement. But, firstly it was taken up briefly, now it was taken up in detail - yet, in the order of this detail, the order of brevity was reversed by giving precedence to life forms and succession to the mention of vegetation. Perhaps, its basis is that the detailed statement highlights the expression of gratitude for blessings which, in that status, makes the blessed - being the intended recipients - deserving of being given precedence. As for vegetation, the previous order stays as the status of the donees, that is, of seeds and pits, remains preceded. That rain has been mentioned in between is subservient to the mention of vegetation. Incidentally, there might be another element of refinement here - in that rain has different states. In terms of its origin, it comes from the high; and in terms of its destination, it comes down to the low; and in terms of the distance covered, it is part of the atmosphere.

Other English translations

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Meaning of Badi`