What does it mean that 'Man was created of haste' in the Quran?

According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi, this phrase in Quran 21:37 is a powerful Arabic metaphor. It means that haste and impatience are such dominant, intrinsic traits of human nature that it is as if humanity was created from the very substance of haste itself.

Why does the Quran say humans are hasty?

Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains this verse was revealed concerning the disbelievers who, out of impatience, mockingly asked the Prophet to hasten the divine punishment he warned of. The verse thus diagnoses this behavior as a symptom of humanity's inherent weakness for wanting things before their appointed time.

Is being hasty always bad in Islam?

Islamic scholars differentiate between types of haste. General impatience ('ajal) is a blameworthy trait to be overcome with patience (sabr). However, hastening towards good deeds (musāra'ah fil-khayrāt) is highly commendable. The verse condemns the impatience that leads one to question Allah's timing and wisdom.

Haste in Islam - Quranic Concept of 'Ajal

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Explore Verses Related to hasty

🕋Al-Anbya21:37

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the Quranic statement, "Man was created of haste" (خُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ) in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:37), is a profound diagnosis of an intrinsic human weakness. Classical commentators like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this verse was revealed in the context of disbelievers impatiently demanding divine punishment, showcasing this inherent trait. The phrasing is a powerful Arabic metaphor, as explained by Al-Qurtubi, suggesting that hastiness and impatience are so deeply ingrained in human nature that it is as if man was formed from their very substance. This concept of 'ajal (haste) is consistently presented as a spiritual challenge throughout the Quran, contrasted with the celebrated virtue of sabr (patience). This single verse provides a foundational principle in Islamic psychology, explaining the human tendency to desire immediate results and highlighting the necessity of trusting in Allah's perfect and wise timing.

📖 Quranic Context

A foundational concept in Quranic psychology, explaining humanity's tendency towards impatience and the need for divine guidance and patience.

This trait explains why humans often question divine timing and impatiently demand signs or punishments, requiring trust in Allah's wisdom.

References: The specific phrase 'created of haste' appears once in 21:37, defining a core aspect of human nature.

💭 Theological Perspective

Described as an intrinsic, almost elemental, part of human creation, signifying a natural inclination that must be managed and refined.

A fundamental human weakness that serves as a spiritual test, requiring the cultivation of its opposite virtue, patience (sabr), for spiritual growth.

The revelation of the Quran and the sending of prophets are divine mercies that help humanity overcome the negative consequences of its inherent hastiness.

Recognizing and disciplining this trait is a key step in tazkiyah (purification of the self) and attaining spiritual maturity.

📜 Hadith Perspective

Prophetic traditions frequently warn against haste and praise deliberation (anaah), framing patience as a cornerstone of faith.

"Deliberation is from Allah, and haste is from Shaytan."
"The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."

Islamic scholars unanimously agree that while haste in doing good deeds is commendable, general hastiness in worldly affairs, judgment, and demanding divine decree is a blameworthy trait to be overcome.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals a profound linguistic and thematic link between humanity's creation from 'haste' ('ajal) in 21:37 and the Golden 'Calf' ('ijl) the Israelites hastily worshipped (Surah Taha). Both words derive from the same Arabic root (ع-ج-ل). This connection, synthesized from linguistic analysis and narrative tafsir, suggests that the Golden Calf incident is the ultimate scriptural symbol of where human impatience leads: a hasty demand for a tangible god, rejecting divine timing and guidance.

— Al-Tabari (for linguistics), Ibn Kathir (for narrative)