24. An-Nur, Medina 102
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَاللَّهُ
خَلَقَ كُلَّ
دَابَّةٍ مِن
مَّاء...
WaAllahu khalaqa kulla dabbatin min ma-in
24: 45. And Allah has created every animal from water:
C3021. Cf. 21:30, n. 2691.
Protoplasm is the basis of all living matter, and "the vital power of protoplasm seems to depend on the constant presence of water".
...فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى بَطْنِهِ...
faminhum man yamshee AAala batnihi
of them there are some that creep on their bellies;
...وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَى أَرْبَعٍ...
waminhum man yamshee AAala rijlayni
waminhum man yamshee AAala arbaAAin yakhluqu
some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four.
C3022. The creeping things include worms and lowly forms of animal life as well as reptiles (like snakes), centipedes, spiders, and insects. Where these have legs they are small, and the description of creeping or crawling is more applicable to them than that of walking.
Fishes and sea-animals generally cannot be said to walk: their swimming is like "creeping on their bellies".
Two-legged animals include birds and man. Most of the mammals walk on four legs. This includes the whole of the animal world.
...يَخْلُقُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاء...
Allah creates what He wills:
C3023. In Allah's Will and Plan, the variety of forms and habits among animals is adapted to their various modes of life and stages of biological evolution.
...إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ﴿٤٥﴾
inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
for verily Allah has power over all things.
WaAllahu khalaqa kulla dabbatin min ma-in faminhum man yamshee AAala batnihi waminhum man yamshee AAala rijlayni waminhum man yamshee AAala arbaAAin yakhluqu Allahu ma yashao inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun |
Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning |
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And it is God who has created all animals out of water; and [He has willed that] among them are such as crawl on their bellies, and such as walk on two legs, and such as walk on four. God creates what He will: for, verily, God has the power to will anything. |
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Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createth what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. |
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And Allah has created from water every living creature: so of them is that which walks upon its belly, and of them is that which walks upon two feet, and of them is that which walks upon four; Allah creates what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things. |
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And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things. |
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God created every moving creature from water. Among them there is what walks on its belly and of them there is what walks on two feet and of them there is what walks on four. God creates what He wills. Truly, God is Powerful over everything. |
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God created every creature from water. Some crawl upon their bellies, others walk on two legs, and others walk on four. God creates what He pleases. He has power over all things. |
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God has created every animal out of water; some of them walk on their belly, while others walk on two legs and still others walk on four. God creates anything He wishes; God is Able [to do) everything! |
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And Allah created every animate being from water*. Some walk, moving or crawling with their bellies touching the ground -worms, reptiles- others are biped who walk on two feet -man and some animals- and others are quadruped which walk on four feet –mammals- Allah creates what He will, Allah is indeed Qadirun (Omnipotent) over all things. |
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And God created every moving creature from water. So some of them move on their bellies, and some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. God creates whatever He wills. God is capable of all things. |
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[[Asad’s note - 63 See note 39 on 21 :30. The term dabbah denotes every corporeal being endowed with both life and spontaneous movement; hence, in its widest sense, it comprises the entire animal world, including man. ]]
