Al-Qur'an Surah As-Saffat Verse 11

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Now ask them, “Are they stronger in the formation of their bodies, or those (other beings) that We have created?” Certainly, We did create them from sticky clay.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

So ask them ˹O Prophet˺, which is harder to create: them or other marvels of Our creation?[[ i.e., the angels, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the mountains. ]] Indeed, We created them from a sticky clay.[[ Their father Adam (ﷺ). ]]

Ruwwad Translation Center

So ask them, “Are they more difficult to create or other things We created? We created them from sticky clay.

A. J. Arberry

So ask them for a pronouncement -- Are they stronger in constitution, or those We created? We created them of clinging clay.

Abdul Haleem

So [Prophet], ask the disbelievers: is it harder to create them than other beings We have created? We created them from sticky clay.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Ask them thou: are they stronger in structure or those others whom We have created? Verily We! We have created them of a sticky clay.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Just ask their opinion; are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

Abul Ala Maududi

So ask them (that is, human beings): “Were they harder to create than the objects We created?” We created them from sticky clay.

Ahmed Ali

So ask them if they are more difficult to create, or the rest We have created? Indeed (man) We created from fermented clay.

Ahmed Raza Khan

Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “Are they a stronger creation, or are other things of our creation, (the angels, the heavens etc.)?” We have indeed created them from sticky clay.

Ali Quli Qarai

Ask them, is their creation more prodigious or [that of other creatures] that We have created? Indeed, We created them from a viscous clay.

Ali Ünal

So ask them (the polytheists): "Are they more formidable in structure or those that We have created (the heavens and the angels in them). Indeed, We have created them (human beings) from a sticky clay.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Therefore, ask them (- your opponents) whether it is they (- the worldly people) who are harder in creation or those (spiritual beings) whom We have created. Them We have created out of adhesive sticking clay (so of firm and strong character).

English Literal

So ask/take their opinion , are they a stronger creation, or who We created? That We created them from very sticky mud/clay .

Faridul Haque

Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), “Are they a stronger creation, or are other things of our creation, (the angels, the heavens etc.)?” We have indeed created them from sticky clay.

Hamid S. Aziz

Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of plastic (malleable) clay.

Hilali & Khan

Then ask them (i.e. these polytheists, O Muhammad SAW): "Are they stronger as creation, or those (others like the heavens and the earth and the mountains, etc.) whom We have created?" Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Except him who snatches away but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.

Muhammad Sarwar

(Muhammad), ask them, "Have they (people) been created stronger than what We have created?" We have created them from moist clay.

Qaribullah & Darwish

So ask them, are they stronger in constitution, or those whom We have created. We have created them of sticky clay.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created" Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.

Wahiduddin Khan

So, ask those who deny the truth if it was harder to create them than all the other things We have created? We created them from sticky clay.

Talal Itani

Inquire of them, “Are they more difficult to create, or the others We created?” We created them from sticky clay.

Tafsir jalalayn

So ask them, in other words, inquire of the people of Mecca for affirmation or by way of rebuke; Are they stronger as a creation, or those [others] whom We created?, of angels, heavens, the two earths and all that is in them (the use of man, `those whom' [in man khalaqn] indicates that the reference is predominantly to [other] rational creatures). Indeed We created them, that is, their origin, Adam, from a viscous clay, that sticks to the hand. The [intended] meaning is that their physical make-up is fragile so let them not behave arrogantly by rejecting the Prophet and the Qur'n, a fact which will result in their -- easily accomplished -- destruction.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Certainty of Life after Death

Allah says;

فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَا

Then ask them;"Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created!"

Allah says;`Ask these people, those who deny the resurrection, which is harder to create? Are they more difficult to create or the heavens, the earth, the angels, devils, the mighty creatures -- everything in between them!'

Ibn Mas`ud said that they admitted that these things were harder to create than they were. If this is the case, then why do they deny the resurrection, when they see things that are greater than that which they deny?

As Allah says;

لَخَلْقُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ أَكْـبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ النَّاسِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْـثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind; yet, most of mankind know not. (40;57)

Then Allah explains that they were created from something weak, as He says;

إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُم مِّن طِينٍ لاَّزِبٍ



Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.

Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak said,

"This is the useful kind of mud which sticks to itself."

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and Ikrimah said,

"It is sticky and useful."

Qatadah said,

"It is that which sticks to the hand."

بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ