فِيهَا فَـٰكِهَةٌ وَٱلنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ ٱلْأَكْمَامِ 11
Translations
Therein is fruit and palm trees having sheaths [of dates]
Transliteration
Fīhā fākihatum wa-n-nakhlu dhātu al-akmāmi
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the fruits and date palm trees with their protective sheaths (akām) that grow in the earth mentioned in the previous verse. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as evidence of Allah's mercy and provision, highlighting how He has provided sustenance in the form of fruits and dates for humanity. The specific mention of the date palm with its clustered fruits demonstrates divine wisdom in creation, as the akām (plural of ukm) are the protective casings that shield the delicate dates until they ripen.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan surah that emphasizes Allah's countless favors and blessings (ne'am) upon creation. This ayah appears within a passage (55:10-12) describing the fertility of the earth and its vegetation as manifestations of divine mercy. The thematic context focuses on the enumeration of Allah's blessings to establish gratitude and recognition of His power.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, 'The best of your fruits are the dates' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, there are hadiths emphasizing the nutritional and medicinal benefits of dates, reflecting the Qur'an's specific mention of date palms as a blessed provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize and appreciate Allah's detailed care in creation, particularly how He provides not only food but also protection for that provision through natural means. For modern readers, it encourages mindfulness about the sources of our sustenance and deeper reflection on the intricate design of nature as evidence of divine wisdom and generosity.