وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ 66
Translations
And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers.
Transliteration
Wa inna lakum fil-an'ami la-'ibrah; nusqikum mimma fi butoonihi min bayna farth wa dam labanan khalisaan sa'ighan lil-sharibeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents milk production in livestock as a profound sign (ayah) of Allah's power and wisdom, highlighting the miraculous process by which pure, palatable milk is extracted from between feces and blood within the animal's body. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as evidence of divine creation and sustenance, demonstrating Allah's ability to produce something pure and beneficial from seemingly impure components. The ayah invites reflection on the intricate biological processes that testify to the Creator's perfect design and generosity toward mankind.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl, revealed in Mecca during the early period of Islam. It appears in a section (16:5-8) discussing various benefits of livestock for humanity, serving as arguments for monotheism and recognition of Allah's blessings. The surah uses observable natural phenomena to guide the Meccan polytheists toward tawhid (belief in Allah's oneness).
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever drinks milk, let him drink more water after it, for milk's cooling property comes from water' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, various hadiths encourage consumption of milk as a blessed food, with the Prophet recommending it for strength and nourishment.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize the extraordinary in the ordinary—by reflecting on everyday blessings like milk, we develop gratitude and awareness of Allah's creative power. It encourages mindfulness of the intricate systems Allah has established for human benefit and reminds us that all provision ultimately comes from the Divine.
Related Ayahs
وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
مَن كَفَرَ بِٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَـٰنِهِۦٓ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَـٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِٱلْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
Whoever disbelieves in [i.e., denies] Allāh after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allāh, and for them is a great punishment;
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
So when you recite the Qur’ān, [first] seek refuge in Allāh from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].