وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ فَأَسْكَنَّـٰهُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابٍۭ بِهِۦ لَقَـٰدِرُونَ 18
Translations
And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away.
Transliteration
Wa anzalna mina as-sama'i ma'an biqadarin fa askannahoo fil ard wa inna 'ala dhahaabin bihi laqadiroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's precise provision of water from the sky and His placement of it in the earth for human benefit and sustenance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that the phrase 'biqadar' (in due measure) highlights Allah's perfect wisdom—sending neither excessive floods nor insufficient drought—while the concluding statement reminds humanity that despite this gracious provision, Allah possesses complete power to withdraw it, teaching dependence upon Him alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Mu'minun, a Meccan surah focusing on the characteristics of true believers and proofs of Allah's oneness. It forms part of a broader passage (23:18-22) detailing Allah's creation and sustenance of all life, serving to demonstrate His power and beneficence as evidence of His existence and deserving of worship.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is water' (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3664), reflecting the supreme importance of water as a life-giving resource. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari (3119), water is emphasized as one of Allah's greatest blessings to mankind.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize water and all provisions as divine gifts bestowed with perfect measure by Allah, cultivating gratitude and mindful conservation while reinforcing that true security comes only from reliance upon Allah's continued mercy rather than from material accumulation.