وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ 22
Translations
And upon them and on ships you are carried.
Transliteration
Wa 'alayhā wa 'alā al-fulki tuḥmalūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the cattle (livestock) and ships as means of transportation and sustenance provided by Allah for mankind. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that Allah mentions these two conveyances together to highlight His provision—cattle for land travel and trade, and ships for maritime commerce—demonstrating divine mercy in facilitating human livelihood and movement. The ayah emphasizes that both creatures and vessels serve as signs of Allah's care for His creation.
Revelation Context
This verse appears within Surah Al-Mu'minun's discussion of Allah's signs and blessings bestowed upon humanity. It is part of a broader Meccan passage (verses 12-22) enumerating the favors Allah has granted mankind, including creation, sustenance, and the means to travel and trade—all serving as evidence of divine wisdom and benevolence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best wealth is a camel and the best of people are those who honor the value of horses.' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the Qur'an frequently mentions ships as blessings: 'And He has subjected to you the ships to sail through the sea by His command' (22:65).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize and appreciate the divinely-provided means of livelihood and travel in their daily lives, cultivating gratitude for Allah's comprehensive care. It reminds us that prosperity and movement in life are gifts from the Almighty, encouraging us to use these blessings responsibly and with consciousness of their divine origin.
Related Ayahs
أَلَمْ تَكُنْ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ
[It will be said], "Were not My verses recited to you and you used to deny them?"
وَلَوِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْحَقُّ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ لَفَسَدَتِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ بَلْ أَتَيْنَـٰهُم بِذِكْرِهِمْ فَهُمْ عَن ذِكْرِهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
But if the Truth [i.e., Allāh] had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined. Rather, We have brought them their message, but they, from their message, are turning away.
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِى يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
Indeed, there was a party of My servants who said, 'Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.'
قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
They said, "When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?