Tafseer of The Beneficent · Ar-Rahmaan · 55:3
Created man,
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.
His statement: ( He created man ) — the Exalted, whose remembrance is exalted, says: He created Adam, and he is the man, according to the statement of some of them.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His statement: ( He created man ) — he said: The man is Adam.
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda: ( He created man ) — he said: The man is Adam, ﷺ.
Others have said: No, by that mankind all together was intended, and it was expressed in the wording only in the singular because it represents its kind (genus), as it is said: Verily, man is indeed in loss (103:2). And neither of the two statements is far removed from the correct view, given that the outward wording of the text admits both.
