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
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.
۞ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ ۚ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ
And it will be said to those who feared Allāh, "What did your Lord send down?" They will say, "[That which is] good." For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous -
وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلْأَعْنَـٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who reason.
وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَآ أَمْرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ ٱلْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And to Allāh belongs the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And the command for the Hour is not but as a glance of the eye or even nearer. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.