Question
Dear Sir,
I need your help to understand the following verses of the Qur’an:
Surah al-Dhariyat 51:49
وَمِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
“And of everything We have created pairs, that you may receive instruction.”
As you know, there are organisms like Amoeba and plants like Algae and Fungi that do not seem to fit into the idea of pairs.
Another verse:
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ — 21:30
“We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”
My question is: angels and jinn are not among those created from water. Could you please help me understand these verses?
Thank you so much in advance.
Answer
Salaam
Such passages in the Qur’an—indeed, any passage—must be read contextually and in their plain linguistic sense, not through mathematical or scientific logic devoid of literary nuance. The Qur’an is not a book of science, nor does it aim to convey scientific data. Rather, it reasons with its audience to awaken moral awareness and draw attention to the signs of divine wisdom and design in creation.
The Qur’anic reference to “creation in pairs” points to the broader principle that everything in this world—whether living or non-living—exists within a framework of complementarity. Each entity, when taken independently, remains incomplete from one aspect or another; completeness emerges only when viewed alongside its counterpart or complementary aspect.
Therefore, when someone cites examples like single-celled organisms or fungi that reproduce without male and female differentiation, the verse is not making a biological claim that “every species has two sexes.” Instead, it highlights a universal truth of duality and balance — that everything in existence carries within it a complementary aspect or opposing force, through which harmony and continuity are sustained.
In the context of Surah al-Dhariyat, this reminder of creation in pairs serves to prepare the listener for the reminder of the Day of Judgement. Just as the elements of creation are interdependent and incomplete when seen in isolation, so too is worldly life incomplete without its counterpart — the life to come.
Regarding the second verse (21:30), the reference is to the living beings of this earthly realm, whose life visibly depends on the availability of water. The verse follows a description of the heavens and the earth being “closed up” (ratq) and then “opened” (fatq) — that is, the withholding and then release of rain. As rain falls, the barren earth revives, and all manner of living beings — plants and animals alike — spring to life through water. This is the simple and direct meaning intended here, without extending it to all classes of beings such as angels and jinn.
Hope this helps
Answered by: Mushafiq Sultan
Date: 2018-03-07
