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
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.
وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِۦ ۖ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ
And Allāh has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored [i.e., given more] would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess [i.e., slaves] so they would be equal to them therein. Then is it the favor of Allāh they reject?
وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ ۖ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
And when those who associated others with Allāh see their "partners," they will say, "Our Lord, these are our partners [to You] whom we used to invoke [in worship] besides You." But they will throw at them the statement, "Indeed, you are liars."