Creation from Clay

The Quran repeatedly mentions that humans were created from clay. The idea is symbolic of the origins of human life and our tangible, earthly composition. This concept emphasizes the humility of our beginnings and the divine process that brought forth intelligent life. The ayahs discuss how Allah fashioned human beings with His hands from a form of clay, setting us apart from other creations.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن طِينٍۢ ثُمَّ قَضَىٰٓ أَجَلًۭا ۖ وَأَجَلٌۭ مُّسَمًّى عِندَهُۥ ۖ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تَمْتَرُونَ

It is He who created you from clay, then decided a term—a term determined by him. Yet you doubt.

The Holy Quran · Al-An'aam (The Cattle) · 6:2

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍۢ

He said, “What prevented you from bowing down when I have commanded you?” He said, “I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from mud.”

The Holy Quran · Al-A'raaf (The Heights) · 7:12

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن صَلْصَٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ

We created the human being from clay, from molded mud.

The Holy Quran · Al-Hijr (The Rock) · 15:26

ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍۢ

He who perfected everything He created, and originated the creation of man from clay.

The Holy Quran · As-Sajda (The Prostration) · 32:7