An Evaluation of Commentator's Views in Explaining the Meaning of Verse 54 of A raf Surah

In numerous verses of the Holy Quran, the creation of all creatures is ascribed to God through using the verb “create", but in verse 54 of A’raf Surah, ownership of "command" is contrasted with ownership of “creation” and at first glance, one construes a contrast between "creation" and "command". Therefore, commentators have sought to determine the meanings of "command" and "creation". Dealing with a critical analysis of the concept of “command” from the perspective of commentators, this paper concludes that views in this regard include five theories: 1. order, 2. God's word, 3. divine commandment, 4. world of command and 5. command aspect of creatures. The arguments for all these views can be criticized. Only Allameh Tabatabai's perspective in Al-Mizan commentary can open the way for a defendable interpretation of this verse. In addition to thoroughly analyzing and criticizing the views of other commentators, the present paper takes another step in presenting the theory by Allameh Tabatabai in Al-Mizan commentary. Modifying Allameh’s theory, it achieves a new perspective i.e. the interpretation of command as the in-determined aspect of creatures.