أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلْمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشْرَبُونَ 68
Translations
And have you seen the water that you drink?
Transliteration
Afara-aytum al-maa al-ladhi tashrubun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah begins a series of rhetorical questions challenging the disbelievers to reflect on the water they drink daily, highlighting its necessity for life and their dependence on Allah's provision. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah drawing attention to the obvious signs of His existence and power—if humans cannot create or control water despite its vital importance, how can they deny Allah's dominion? The ayah serves as a transition to discuss the afterlife and resurrection, implying that just as Allah provides water in this life, He is fully capable of resurrecting and sustaining humanity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Waqi'ah (Meccan), which focuses on the certainty of the Day of Judgment and resurrection. The surah uses tangible examples from daily life to convince the Meccan polytheists of Allah's power and their accountability. The passage (56:63-74) poses a series of questions about water, agriculture, and fire—all things the disbelievers witness but take for granted, serving as irrefutable evidence of divine sovereignty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is water' (Sunan Ibn Majah), emphasizing water's value and divine blessing. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet taught gratitude for basic provisions, including drinking water, as a sign of recognizing Allah's blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize Allah's handiwork in the most ordinary aspects of life; by appreciating the miracle of water and how it sustains us despite our inability to create or fully control it, we cultivate humility and gratitude. In our modern age of technological advancement, this reminder prompts us to look beyond material explanations and acknowledge our ultimate dependence on the Divine Creator.