وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَـٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ 21
Translations
And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat.
Transliteration
Wa-inna lakum fil-an'ami la-'ibrah; nusqikum mimma fi butunihan wa-lakum fiha manafi'u kathirah wa-minha ta'kulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah highlights the livestock (an'am) as a sign of Allah's mercy and wisdom, demonstrating His provision for humanity. Allah provides us with drink from what is produced within their bodies (milk), bestows numerous benefits upon us through them, and we consume their flesh as sustenance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this ayah as evidence of divine bounty and an invitation to reflect on Allah's perfect wisdom in creation—the livestock serving multiple purposes simultaneously (milk, meat, leather, wool, transportation).
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mu'minun is a Meccan surah addressing the disbelievers of Mecca, encouraging reflection on the signs (ayat) of Allah throughout creation. This ayah is part of a broader passage (23:12-22) enumerating divine signs in the process of human creation and sustenance, designed to convince the polytheists of Allah's oneness and power. The context emphasizes that such clear evidences should lead to belief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their livestock' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet encouraged the consumption of meat from sacrificial animals as part of Islamic practice (Sahih Bukhari), reflecting the permissibility and blessing mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize Allah's generous provision in everyday sustenance and to maintain gratitude for the numerous blessings He has placed at our disposal. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder to treat animals ethically as entrusted blessings from Allah, and to contemplate the intricate design of creation as evidence of divine wisdom and oneness.
Related Ayahs
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً مَّا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, "This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allāh had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers.
مَا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ
No nation will precede its time [of termination], nor will they remain [thereafter].
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلْخَلْقِ غَـٰفِلِينَ
And We have created above you seven layered heavens, and never have We been of [Our] creation unaware.
قَالَ ٱخْسَـُٔوا۟ فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ
He will say, "Remain despised therein and do not speak to Me.