Surah Yaseen is the 36th chapter of the Quran and verse 78 reads as follows in English:
“And he strikes out a likeness for Us, and forgets his own creation. Says he: ‘Who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?'” (78)
“Say: ‘He will give them life Who brought them into existence at first, and He is cognizant of all creation,'” (79)
Verse 78 is a reminder to the disbelievers that they are ignoring the clear signs of Allah’s power and might that are present all around them. The disbelievers are described as creating false comparisons or likenesses for Allah, as if they could truly comprehend His nature or attributes.
Verse 78 goes on to describe their attitude towards the concept of resurrection, which was a point of contention for some of the Arab tribes at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). They would mock the idea of resurrection, asking how it was possible to bring dead bones back to life.
Verse 79 is a response to the rhetorical question posed in the previous verse by the disbelievers, who ask “who will give life to the bones when they are rotten?” Here, Allah instructs the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) to inform them that the same Being who created them in the first place is capable of giving them life again.
The verse serves to illustrate the futility of the disbelievers’ arguments, and to remind them that they are limited in their knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of the universe. It also encourages them to reflect on the signs of Allah’s power and to embrace the truth of the Quran, rather than rejecting it out of arrogance and ignorance.
