[95:4] We created man in the best design.

There is no question that everything God does is perfect, including everything that God physically designs. In the following verse we see that God created the human being in the best design, but is this verse in reference to the physical design or the spiritual design?

[95:4] We created man in the best design.

If we investigate the Arabic of 95:4 it states:

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

If we break this down word by word it would translate as the following:

لَقَدْ = Indeed
خَلَقْنَا = we created
الْإِنْسَانَ = the human being
فِي = in 
أَحْسَنِ = best
تَقْوِيمٍ = ??

The word تَقْوِيمٍ comes from the root ق و م which means to be upright both physically or spiritually. It is also used as a term to address a community of people “الْقَوْمَ”, like the people of Lot, or to observe “أَقِيمُوا” Salat, or as in the straight “الْمُسْتَقِيمَ” path. 

From this context, I believe that 95:6 is indicating that God created the human being in the best design, as in our spiritual design, much like an upright citizen. The word  تَقْوِيمٍ could be understood to mean that God created the human being in the best model as in a model employee as opposed to a physical model. This would correspond better with the understanding of the word تَقْوِيمٍ.

When we read the following verses it provides a little more clarity to the meaning of this verse, and specifically this word. 

[95:5] Then turned him into the lowliest of the lowly. [95:6] Except those who believe and lead a righteous life; they receive a reward that is well deserved.

If 95:4 was in regards to the physical form of the human being then it would not appear to corroborate with the following verses, as it would not make sense that God created the human being in the best physical design but then turned him into the lowliest of the lowly, except for those who are righteous. If this was the understanding then the design of the physical human being would be completely exclusive from turning int the lowliest of the lowly. But instead if we understand to mean our spiritual design it makes more sense.

The 95:5-6 are informing us that we were created as a model citizen in the heavenly society, but when we fell by disobeying God, we became among the lowest of the low, except for those who redeem themselves by leading a righteous life. 

We see this exact occurrence in the history of Adam. First, God created Adam with certain qualities that even the angels did not possess.  

[2:31] He taught Adam all the names then presented them to the angels, saying, “Give Me the names of these, if you are right.” [2:32] They said, “Be You glorified, we have no knowledge, except that which You have taught us. You are the Omniscient, Most Wise.” [2:33] He said, “O Adam, tell them their names.” When he told them their names, He said, “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth? I know what you declare, and what you conceal.” [2:34] When we said to the angels, “Fall prostrate before Adam,” they fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused, was too arrogant, and a disbeliever. [2:35] We said, “O Adam, live with your wife in Paradise, and eat therefrom generously, as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you sin.”

But then, despite these qualities, Adam was duped by the devil and fell from paradise to this world. Interesting to note, that the word for “world” in Arabic “الدُّنْيَا” also means “the lowest” see 37:6

[2:36] But the devil duped them, and caused their eviction therefrom. We said, “Go down as enemies of one another. On Earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile. 

Finally, Adam received words from his Lord whereby he was redeemed back to God’s kingdom. 

[2:37] Then, Adam received from his Lord words, whereby He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

From this analysis, if we now look at 95:4-6 under the context of a spiritual design the verses tie together much better, than if we understood this as a physical design.

[95:4] We created man in the best design. [95:5] Then turned him into the lowliest of the lowly. [95:6] Except those who believe and lead a righteous life; they receive a reward that is well deserved.

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