Surah an-Nazi`at (The Extractors) 79 : 27

Explanatory Note

Having mentioned the end met by tyrants who thought themselves very powerful, the surah turns to the present unbelievers who also depend on their own power. It directs their attention to some manifestations of the work of the Supreme Power in the universe. Their power holds no sway against God’s. The question these verses start with, “Which is stronger in constitution: you or the heaven He has built?” admits of one answer only: heaven.

So the question seems to infer another: ‘Why should you think so highly of your own power when heaven is much stronger in constitution than you and the Lord who created it is much stronger than it?’ The question may also be carried forward in a different direction: ‘Why do you think resurrection is impossible, when God has created heaven, the creation of which requires more power than your own creation?’ Resurrection is merely a repetition of creation. It follows that He who has built heaven will find your resurrection an easier proposition.

It is He who has ‘built’ heaven. The term ‘build’ suggests strength and firm constitution. Heaven is indeed so. Its planets are held together in perfect harmony. They neither scatter, nor fall out of their orbits.