Fatwa ID: 07875
Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
I was hoping you could help me with a query. I was wondering why Surah Mulk Ayah 3 says: “You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate”.
Aren’t some parts of creation imperfect though? The body is full of imperfections, isn’t it? We get ill, bones break, etc. Non-Muslim science books say the body is very much imperfect, but maybe this is just their worldview.
Could you help me understand how the human being can be perfect yet also make mistakes, cause corruption, and get ill?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Your question regarding the verse “You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate” (Surah Mulk 67:3) is very profound and complex and touches multiple core Islamic topics and beliefs about Allah SWT’s attributes, His creation, and the wisdom inherent in the universe. As Muslims, we believe that the Qur’an is the final revelation and the word of God. Since God is perfect, we hold that the Qur’an is also perfect and free from any errors or contradictions. However, due to our limitations and imperfect understanding, we may sometimes find ourselves confused or uncertain when reflecting on certain verses. This is a result of our human weaknesses, and not a flaw in the divine message itself.
When reflecting on the verse, we affirm that only Allah SWT is perfect, while everything besides Him is inherently imperfect in its essence. Due to our temporal nature and the fact that we are created and perishable, we possess certain qualities that can be described as deficiencies. This is why we say Subhanallah, acknowledging that only Allah SWT is perfect and free from any fault, blemish, or deficiency. Unlike creation, Allah SWT is pre-eternal, everlasting, and flawless.
If everything were perfect, it would equate to having the same attributes (Sifaat) and qualities as Allah SWT which is impossible. Our imperfections define us as His creation and distinguish us from the Creator. As dependent beings, our reliance on Allah SWT for sustenance is, in itself, a form of imperfection. We must breathe, eat, drink, and fulfil other basic needs to survive, which are all attributes that signify limitations. Our senses, such as sight and hearing, are finite and restricted in capacity. Additionally, as human beings, we are prone to mistakes, forgetfulness, and sin.
Therefore, when we say that only Allah SWT is perfect and that creation is imperfect, this refers to the Dhaat (essence) of our being. However, this is not the meaning of the verse where Allah SWT says, “You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate.” Instead, the verse speaks of the flawless design and harmony within Allah’s creation, as intended by His divine wisdom.
To understand this verse, we need to look at it in context. Allah SWT begins Surah Mulk by praising Himself and showing His complete authority and power:
“Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything.”[1]
Allah SWT then reminds us of His ability by mentioning His creation of the heavens and the earth and the purpose behind them, which is to test us and see who does the best deeds. He also reminds us that while He is Mighty and capable of punishment, He is also forgiving and ready to forgive us when we make mistakes:
“˹He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.”[1]
Allah SWT then describes how He created the heavens by layering them one above the other. He says there are no flaws or imperfections in His creation and invites us to look at the heavens and reflect. When we do, we will see how perfectly they have been created without cracks, tears, or any faults:
“˹He is the One˺ Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate. So look again: do you see any flaws?”[1]
This verse reminds us of Allah SWT’s ability and perfect creation and encourages us to reflect on His wisdom and power.
This context refers to how Allah SWT created the heavens. The word Tafaawut means differences, inconsistencies, or disparities. Allah SWT is telling us that the skies are created with perfect uniformity and balance, without any flaws. This perfection should lead people to reflect on their Creator and His power as highlighted in the verse “And He is Most Capable of everything.” Allah SWT then asks if we see any Futoor in the skies, connecting this back to the idea of Tafaawut. The word Futoor (plural of Fatr) means cracks, tears, or ruptures. Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that[2]:
مَّا تَرَى فِى خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَـنِ مِن تَفَـوُتٍ
(you can see no fault in the creation of the Most Gracious.) means, it (the creation) is done in a flawless manner, and these are connected with each other so as to forms a straight level, having no disunion, conflict, inconsistency, deficiency, flaw or defect.
This is the reason that Allah says,
فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ
(Then look again. Can you see any rifts) meaning, look at the sky and pay close attention to it. Do you see any flaw, deficiency, defect or rifts in it Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Ath-Thawri and others said concerning Allah’s statement,
فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ
(Then look again. Can you see any rifts) that it means cracks. As-Suddi said that,
هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ
(Can you see any rifts) means any tears. Qatadah said,
هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ
(Can you see any rifts) means, `do you see any defects O Son of Adam (mankind)’ In reference to Allah’s statement,
ثُمَّ اْرجِعِ البَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ
(Then look again and yet again, ) Qatadah said, “It means (look) twice.”
Through this verse, Allah SWT encourages us to reflect on the evenness and uniformity of the sky. Its lack of cracks or defects is a testament to Allah’s unmatched ability to create and a powerful reminder of His Lordship and infinite power.
This verse highlights the uniformity and flawless design of the sky, not that every creation is perfect in its (Dhaat) essence. However, if we interpret the verse more broadly, we can understand that everything in creation is perfect in its role and in the grand scheme of Allah SWT’s design. The footnote on this verse from Quran.com provides explains:
Some may point to birth defects, genetic mutations, etc., and say these are flaws. This verse means that, in the grand scheme of creation, everything created has its place, form, and purpose, and that it does exactly what Allah ordained for it.[3]
If we reflect on how everything in creation is fashioned and how it fits into the greater plan of the universe, we realize that each creation is perfect in its intended purpose and context. By pondering over Allah SWT’s creation, we see the wisdom behind it that everything has a role, a purpose, and functions exactly as Allah SWT intended.
While we acknowledge that only Allah SWT is perfect in His Dhaat (essence), we also recognise that His creation is without inconsistencies or flaws in fulfilling the roles He has ordained for it. Despite the apparent deficiencies in individual creations, they perform flawlessly within the context and purpose Allah SWT assigned them. Every aspect of creation aligns perfectly with Allah’s will and the grand design of the universe.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
- تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ ١ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٢ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ ٣ (Surah Al-Mulk 67:1-3)
- https://quran.com/67:4/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir
- https://quran.com/en/al-mulk
