وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّـٰتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍ ۗ ٱنظُرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكُمْ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ 99
Translations
And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Transliteration
Wa huwa alladhī anzala mina as-samāi māan fa-akhrajnā bihi nabāta kulli shay'in fa-akhrajnā minhu khadran nukhriju minhu habbann mutarākiban wa mina an-nakhli min talʿihā qinwānun dāniyatun wa jannātim min aʿnābin wa az-zaytūnu wa ar-rummānu mushtabihan wa ghayra mutashābih. Unẓurū ilā thamarah idha athmara wa yanaʿih. Inna fī dhālikum la-āyātun liqawmin yu'minūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's creative power by detailing the process of vegetation growth from rainfall: water descends from the sky, producing green plants and crops with overlapping grains, date palms bearing clusters of fruit within reach, vineyards, olives, and pomegranates that vary in appearance and taste despite similar origins. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the variety in fruits and their ripening process exemplifies divine wisdom and careful design, serving as a sign (āyah) for those with faith to contemplate Allah's perfect sustenance system.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-An'am is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam, focusing on establishing monotheism and refuting polytheism. This particular ayah is part of a broader passage (6:95-99) that addresses the argument of disbelievers who denied resurrection, with Allah responding by highlighting His power over creation and the natural world as irrefutable evidence of His authority.
Related Hadiths
1) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'For every disease, Allah has given a cure' (Sahih Bukhari 5678). 2) The Prophet emphasized the blessing of rain: 'When it rains, the angels say: Our Lord sends down provision' (attributed to various narrations on the blessing of rainfall in Islamic tradition).
Themes
Key Lesson
By observing the intricate process of plant growth, rainfall, and fruit-bearing, believers should recognize Allah's meticulous design and generous provision, which should inspire gratitude, faith, and careful environmental stewardship. This ayah reminds us that contemplation of nature's cycles is a path to strengthening faith and understanding divine mercy in our sustenance.