Quran-88:20 Surah Al-ghashiyah English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

وَإِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كَيۡفَ سُطِحَتۡ

Transliteration:( Wa ilal ardi kaifa sutihat )

20. And the earth, how it has been spread out? [20] (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(20) And at the earth - how it is spread out? (Saheen International Translation)

Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics

Surah Al-Ghashiyah Ayat 20 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

📖 Tafseer (Commentary) of Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:20)

🔹 And the earth—how it has been spread out?

This verse invites us to contemplate the vastness and structure of the earth 🌍 as one of the great signs of اللَّهُ’s creation.


1️⃣ The Spread of the Earth

A Stable Surface for Life:

  • Although scientifically round, the earth appears spread out due to its vastness, making it suitable for human habitation.

Diverse Landscapes:

  • The earth contains plains, mountains ⛰️, forests 🌳, rivers, and deserts, each serving a unique purpose.
  • Different regions have distinct qualities—some fertile, some barren, some rich in minerals, and others with vast oil reserves.

Self-Sustaining System:

  • The earth provides food, water, and shelter, supporting millions of species without external intervention.

2️⃣ Scientific Perspective on the Earth’s Design

Perfectly Designed for Life:

  • The atmosphere protects against harmful radiation.
  • The rotation ensures equal distribution of sunlight and temperature balance.
  • The gravitational force allows us to live comfortably.

Ongoing Renewal:

  • Through volcanic activity, weathering, and water cycles, the earth constantly renews itself, maintaining its fertility.

A Unique Balance:

  • Scientists confirm that if the earth’s tilt or orbit were slightly different, life would not be possible.

3️⃣ Spiritual and Moral Lessons from the Earth

📖 The earth reflects human nature.

🔹 Different Lands, Different Hearts:

  • Just as the earth varies in quality (some fertile, some barren), human hearts also vary—some filled with faith and wisdom, others with ignorance and darkness.

🔹 Humility from the Earth:

  • The earth humbly bears the burden of human actions. Similarly, believers should be humble and patient in their service to humanity.

🔹 Good Deeds Are Like Seeds:

  • Just as fertile land produces crops, a heart filled with faith produces righteous actions.

Ibn-Kathir

The tafsir of Surah Ghashiyah 20 verse by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ghashiyah ayat 17 which provides the complete commentary from verse 17 through 26.


Ala-Maududi

(88:20) And the earth: how it was spread out?[7]


7. That is, if they deny the possibility of the Hereafter, have they never looked around themselves and considered how the camels were created, how the heaven was raised high, how the mountains were firmly set and how the earth was spread out? When all these things could be created, and exist before them in their finished form, why can the Resurrection not take place? Why cannot a new world come about, and why cannot Hell and Heaven be possible? Only a foolish and thoughtless person would think that the coming into existence of only those things which he has found existing, on opening his eyes in the world, is possible, because they already exist. As for the things, which he has not yet observed and experienced, he should thoughtlessly pass the judgment that their coming into being is impossible. If he has any common sense, he should think as to how the things, which already exist, came into being? How did the camel possessing precisely the same characteristics as needed for the beast required by the desert dwellers of Arabia come into being? How did the sky whose atmosphere is filled with air to breathe in, whose clouds bring rain, whose sun provides light and warmth in the day, whose moon and stars shine at night, come into being? How did the earth spread out on which man lives and passes his life, whose products fulfill all his needs and requirements on whose springs and wells his life depends? How did the mountains rise up from the surface of the earth, which stand fixed with earth and stones of different colors and a variety of minerals in them? Has all this happened without the artistic skill of an All-Powerful, All- Wise Designer. No thinking and intelligent mind can answer this question in the negative. Unless it is stubborn and obstinate, it will have to acknowledge that each one of these things was impossible, had not an Omnipotent, Wise Being made it possible. And when an All-Powerful, Wise Being created these things, there is no reason why the Hereafter should be regarded as remote from reason and impossible.

(20) And at the earth - how it is spread out?

Surah Al-Ghashiyah All Ayat (Verses)

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