Tafsir & Commentary
The Inevitable (الواقعة) · Meccan
لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ حُطَـٰمًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ65
56:65
Translation — Sahih International
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
Transliteration
Law nasha'u laja'alnahu hutaman fathaltum tafakkahuun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah states that if He willed, He could render the harvest dry and broken into pieces (hutam), leaving people in a state of regret and wonder. This ayah emphasizes Allah's absolute power over creation and serves as a reminder of human dependence on divine mercy. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a warning against ingratitude and a call to recognize that all blessings are contingent upon Allah's will, with the phrase 'tafakkahuun' (expressing regret/wonder) highlighting the consequential despair such loss would cause.
Revelation Context (Asbab al-Nuzul)
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Inevitable Event), a Meccan surah that extensively discusses the themes of resurrection, divine power, and human accountability. The broader context (verses 63-73) focuses on Allah's ability to sustain life through agriculture and water, using this as evidence for His power over all creation and as a basis for reflection on the hereafter.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this verse, Sahih Bukhari and Muslim contain numerous hadiths on the obligation of gratitude (shukr), such as the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whoever is grateful, he is grateful for the good of his own self.' This complements the warning against ingratitude implied in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lessons
This ayah teaches believers to maintain sincere gratitude for provisions and blessings, recognizing that all comfort and sustenance exist solely by Allah's permission and can be withdrawn at any moment. It should instill humility and remind us to fear Allah's displeasure through ingratitude rather than assume permanence in our worldly circumstances.