Pairs in Creation (Azwaj) أَزْوَاج

Overview

The Quran teaches that Allah created all things in pairs (Arabic: أَزْوَاج, azwāj). Surah An-Naba 78:8 reads: "And We created you in pairs." The same theme is elaborated in Surah Yā-Sīn 36:36 with cosmic generality: "Exalted is He who created all the pairs — from what the earth grows, and from themselves, and from that which they do not know."

The Quranic zawj denotes a pair, a complement, or a counterpart — covering: the male and female of every species; the sun and moon; day and night; sweet and salty waters; and pairings unseen by humans. The pairing principle is presented as a sign of Allah's creative wisdom.

Quranic references

• Surah Yā-Sīn 36:36 — "Exalted is He who created all the pairs."
• Surah Adh-Dhāriyāt 51:49 — "And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember."
• Surah An-Naba 78:8 — "And We created you in pairs."
• Surah Ash-Shūrā 42:11 — "He has made for you from yourselves mates… and from the cattle, mates."
• Surah Ar-Raʿd 13:3 — "And from all the fruits He made therein two mates."
• Surah An-Najm 53:45 — "And He created the two mates — the male and the female — from a sperm-drop when it is emitted."

See also

• An-Naba
• Creation Account
• Signs of Allah
• Seven Heavens

References

1. The Quran: Surahs Ar-Raʿd 13:3; Yā-Sīn 36:36; Ash-Shūrā 42:11; Adh-Dhāriyāt 51:49; An-Najm 53:45; An-Naba 78:8.
2. Ibn Kathir, Tafsīr, on Surah Yā-Sīn 36:36.