Tafseer of The Bee · An-Nahl · 16:40
Indeed, Our word to a thing when We intend it is but that We say to it, "Be," and it is.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
Allah the Exalted says: when We wish to resurrect the one who dies, this requires of Us no effort nor exertion in bringing them to life, nor in any other thing that We create, fashion, or bring into being — for when We wish to create something and call it into existence, We say to it only: "Be!" and it is — without trouble and without any burden being imposed upon Us.
The Qurʾān-reciters differed concerning the reading of the word yakūnu. The majority of the reciters of the Ḥijāz and Iraq read it as a new sentence (ibtidāʾ), taking the words إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَيْءٍ إِذَا أَرَدْنَاهُ أَنْ نَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ as a complete, self-standing whole, after which they begin a new sentence: fa-yakūnu — as the poet said:
"Yurīdu an yuʿribahu fa-yuʿjimuh"
(He wishes to make it clear — but he makes it obscure.)
Some reciters of Syria and certain later reciters of Kufa read فَيَكُونَ in the accusative (naṣb), as an extension upon أَنْ نَقُولَ لَهُ. As though the meaning of the words in their view is: "There is nothing but Our word to a thing when We will it: Be! — and it is." It is also reported as heard from the Arabs: urīdu an ātiyaka fa-yamnaʿanī al-maṭar (I wish to come to you, but the rain prevents me) — as an extension upon ātiyaka.