7. [ al-Araf Mecca 39 ]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلَقَدْ
خَلَقْنَاكُمْ
ثُمَّ
صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ
...
7: 11. It is We who created you and gave you shape;
C996. Shape or form must be interpreted not only to refer to the physical form, which changes day by day, but also the various forms or shapes which our ideal and spiritual existence may take from time to time according to our inner experience; Cf. 82:8.
It was after Adam (as standing for all mankind) had been so taught that the angels were asked to prostrate to him, for, by Allah's grace, his status had actually been raised higher.
Note the transition from "you" (plural) in the first clause to "Adam" in the second clause: Adam and mankind are synonymous: the plural is reverted to in 7:14, 16-18. (R).
... ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلآئِكَةِ اسْجُدُواْ لآدَمَ فَسَجَدُواْ إِلاَّ إِبْلِيسَ...
then We bade the angels bow down to Adam, and they bowed down; not so Iblis;
...لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ ﴿١١﴾
he refused to be of those who bow down.
C997. Iblis not only refused to bow down: he refused to be of those who prostrated.
In other words he arrogantly despised the angels who prostrated as well as man to whom they prostrated and he was in rebellion against Allah for not obeying His order.
Arrogance, jealousy, and rebellion were his triple crime.
7: 11
Asad Yea, indeed, We have created you, and then formed you; and then We said unto the angels, “Prostrate yourselves before Adam!” - …..(note 9)
Pickthall And We created you, then fashioned you, then told the angels: Fall ye prostrate before Adam! And they fell prostrate, all save Iblis, who was not of those who make prostration.
Transliteration Wa laqad khalaqna_kum summa sawwarna_kum summa qulna_ lil mala_'ikatisjudu_ li a_dama fasajadu_ illa_ iblis(a), lam yakum minas sa_jidin(a).
[ Ruby’s note on 7:11: It is of extreme importance to note this sequence and its possible implications: God created human beings first and then He shaped them, what does that mean? What did He create before the form and shape? What is that Creation that preceded its shape? These are the critical questions about human life, its definition and its existence.
I think with all humility what is said here is that “creation of human being” is the spirit and the genetic information to define its form and shape. That spirit [ a part of God Himself] and the physical code of genetic information together then is defining the detail shaping, functioning and propagating a life. ]
[Asad’s note 9; The sequence of these two statements …………is meant to bring out the fact of man’s gradual development, in the individual sense, from embryonic stage to full-fledged existence, as well as of the evolution of the human race as such.]
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80. Surah Al Abasa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مِنْ
أَيِّ شَيْءٍ
خَلَقَهُ ﴿١٨﴾
80: 18. From what stuff Hath He created him?
80: 19. From a sperm-drop:
The origin of man as an animal is lowly indeed. But what further faculties and capacities has not Allah granted to man? Besides his animal body, in which also he shares in all the blessings which Allah has bestowed on the rest of His Creation, man has been granted divine gifts which entitle him to be called the Vicegerent on earth: 2:30.
He has a will;
he has spiritual perception;
he is capable of divine love;
he can control nature within certain limits, and subject nature's forces to his own use.
And he has been given the power of judgment, so that he can avoid excess and defect, and follow the middle path. And that path, as well as all that is necessary for his life in its manifold aspects, has been made easy for him.
... خَلَقَهُ فَقَدَّرَهُ ﴿١٩﴾
He hath created him, and then mouldeth him in due proportions;
ثُمَّ
السَّبِيلَ
يَسَّرَهُ ﴿٢٠﴾
80: 20. Then doth He make His path smooth for him;
Asad’s Version:
80: 18 (Does man ever consider) out of what substance (God) creates him?
80: 19 Out of a drop of sperm He creates him, and thereupon determines ,his nature,
80:20 and then makes it easy for him to go through life; 80: 21 and in the end He causes him to die and brings him to the grave; 80: 22 and then, if it be His will, He shall raise him again to life. Asad
Pickthall’s Version:
80: 19 From a drop of seed, He created him and proportioned him,
80;20 then make the way easy for him. Pickthall