Tafseer of The Criterion · Al-Furqaan · 25:54
And it is He who has created from water a human being and made him [a relative by] lineage and marriage. And ever is your Lord competent [concerning creation].
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.
The Exalted and Praised says: Allah is the One Who created from the drops (nuṭaf) a human being and made him into kinship by blood-tie (nasab) — these are seven — and into affinity by marriage (ṣihr) — these are five.
As was related to me on the authority of al-Ḥusayn, who said: I heard Abū Muʿādh say: ʿUbayd informed us, saying: I heard al-Ḍaḥḥāk say concerning His word فَجَعَلَهُ نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا (and He made him into kinship by blood-tie and into affinity by marriage): "The blood-kinship (nasab) comprises seven categories, in accordance with His word حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمْ أُمَّهَاتُكُمْ (forbidden to you are your mothers) ... up to His word وَبَنَاتُ الأُخْتِ (and the daughters of the sister). And the affinity by marriage (ṣihr) comprises five categories, in accordance with His word وَأُمَّهَاتُكُمُ اللاتِي أَرْضَعْنَكُمْ (and your mothers who suckled you) ... up to His word وَحَلائِلُ أَبْنَائِكُمُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ أَصْلابِكُمْ (and the wives of your sons who are from your loins)."
And His word: وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرًا (and your Lord is all-powerful) — he means: and your Lord, O Muḥammad, possesses the power to create whatever He wishes of His creation and to guide them in whatever He wishes and intends.
