وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 8
Translations
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
Transliteration
Wal-khaylu wal-bighal wal-hamira litarkabūhā wa zīnatan wa yakhluqu mā lā ta'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, part of Allah's enumeration of His blessings, mentions horses, mules, and donkeys as means of transportation and adornment for mankind. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that these animals were essential for daily life in Arabia, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes, while the phrase 'and He creates what you do not know' points to Allah's unlimited creative power beyond human comprehension, humbling believers before divine wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Nahl's broader theme of divine blessings (ni'am) bestowed upon humanity. The surah, revealed in Mecca, systematically illustrates Allah's grace through various creations—from livestock to sustenance—encouraging reflection on divine providence and gratitude. This ayah specifically addresses the utility of domesticated animals in pre-Islamic Arabian society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of your wealth is a good horse and a good woman' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized kindness to animals, stating: 'Whoever is merciful, even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Musnad Ahmad).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize and appreciate the manifest blessings in their daily lives while acknowledging that Allah's creative wisdom extends far beyond human understanding, cultivating both gratitude and humble submission. It also establishes an ethical framework for treating animals as divine gifts deserving of respectful stewardship.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ ۚ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
The ones whom the angels take in death [while] wronging themselves, and [who] then offer submission, [saying], "We were not doing any evil." But, yes! Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of what you used to do.
ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Then We revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allāh.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ
And those they invoke other than Allāh create nothing, and they [themselves] are created.
وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَـٰهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
And to those who are Jews We have prohibited that which We related to you before. And We did not wrong them [thereby], but they were wronging themselves.