Were angels and jinn created from water since every living being was created from water?

- It is stated in al-Anbiya verse 30 (21/30) that every living being was created from water. However, we know that angels and jinn were not created from water. The answer to this question was given in your website; in the answer, you referred to an-Nur 24/45 and explained that what was meant by living beings was the living beings in the world. However, the phrase in the verse is “every living being”. Could you explain it in more detail?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- What is meant by “every living thing” in the verse “We made from water every living thing” is the human beings, animals and plants that have life in the world. As a matter of fact, scholars explain the phrase “kulla shayin hayy” (every living thing) as “kulla haywanin” (every animal / living being) and state that it includes animals (living beings) and plants. (see al-Maraghi, the interpretation of the verse in question)

Although the concept “animal” used in the verse includes those who have full or half life in its broad sense, it does not include jinn and angels because they are not called animals. However, it is known that other living things are called “animals”. They described the human being as “haywan natuq (talking/thinking animal)”. Plants are also included in this category “because they have half life” metaphorically. Moreover, perhaps one of the reasons why the word “hayy (living/alive)” is used rather than “haywan (animal)” in the verse is to include plants.

- Another meaning is as follows: “We created every living thing from water (we sent down from the sky / cloud).”

What is meant by “water” in the verse is the water that is brought down from the sky. Plants and other living things were created from this water. (Shawkani, the interpretation of the verse in question)

Since it is clear that angels and jinn have nothing to do with this water, no further detail is given.

- First of all, the addressees of the Quran are human beings, and therefore their understanding and perceptions are important. Human beings and animals are the first things that come to mind with the expression “every living thing”. Angels and jinn do not usually come to mind.

Since this settled understanding of the addressees is clear, there is no detail such as “except for angels and jinn” in the verse. As a matter of fact, those living beings are mentioned as “dabba” in the verse “And Allah has created every animal from water” (an-Nur, 24/45); that word includes the animals that move. 

The Circumstance of Creation:

The Companion Abu Razin asked the Prophet (pbuh): 

“O Messenger of Allah! Where was Allah before He created the earth and the skies?” 

The Prophet (pbuh) answered as follows: 

“Allah existed; there were no beings. He was in secrecy and He was not known. His Throne had not been on water yet. Then, He created His Throne on water.” (Bukhari, Maghazi, 67, 74, Bad'ul-Khalq 1, Tawhid 22; Tirmidhi, Manaqib, 3946)

Badiuzzaman Said Nursi explains the issue as follows: 

“The teachings (naqliyat) of the Shari‘a suggest that Allah the Most High created firstly a substance, that is, matter, then He manifested His power on it and made a part of it steam and a part fluid. Then through his manifestation the fluid part thickened and became froth. Out of this He created the earth or the seven globes of the earths.” 

The Throne of God Almighty was on ether, which was like water. After ether was created, it became the center of the Maker’s first creations. That is, after He created ether, He transformed it into atoms. “Ether is a field for atoms; it is a fluid substance that passes through and among beings.”

Almighty Allah created ether and set His Throne on it. That is, He placed his dominion and sovereignty and His Throne on ether. Thus, by dominating ether, which can penetrate even into atoms, Allah rules over the whole universe and everything. Thus, Allah is closer to everything than anything else, with His knowledge, will and power, and the names and attributes they require. Knowledge, will and power have encompassed the inside and outside of, under and above everything.

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