وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ 5
Translations
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.
Transliteration
Wal-an'ama khalaqaha, lakum fiha difun wa manafi'u wa minha ta'kulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah created livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, camels) for humanity's benefit, providing warmth through their wool, fur, and hides, along with numerous other benefits including transportation, milk, and meat for sustenance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates Allah's mercy and provision for mankind, highlighting how these animals serve multiple essential purposes in human life. The verse is part of a broader discussion of Allah's signs (ayat) in creation that should inspire gratitude and recognition of divine providence.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), a Meccan surah that focuses extensively on Allah's signs and blessings in creation. The surah uses the bee as a primary example of Allah's wisdom, and this particular ayah fits within a sequence listing various blessings Allah has created for humanity—the context emphasizes recognizing divine favor through observable creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever is merciful, even to the creatures on earth, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet encouraged kindness to animals, stating 'In every creature's body there is a reward for charity' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize and appreciate the multiple blessings Allah has woven into creation, particularly the livestock that sustain human life, and encourages gratitude through proper treatment and ethical use of these creatures. For modern readers, it underscores the responsibility to be mindful stewards of animal resources, using them with gratitude and without waste.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful.
۞ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَـٰدِلُ عَن نَّفْسِهَا وَتُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
On the Day when every soul will come disputing [i.e., pleading] for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged [i.e., treated unjustly].