وَٱلْحَبُّ ذُو ٱلْعَصْفِ وَٱلرَّيْحَانُ 12
Translations
And grain having husks and scented plants.
Transliteration
Wal-habbu dhu al-'asfi war-rayhān
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to grain plants with their leaves and husks, and aromatic plants (rayhan), both of which Allah has caused to grow from the earth as signs of His creative power and bounty. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as part of the enumeration of Allah's blessings, where 'asf (herbage/chaff) refers to the leaves and stems of grain crops, while rayhan (basil or sweet-smelling plants) represents fragrant vegetation. The ayah emphasizes that both utilitarian and pleasant-smelling plants are divine blessings provided for human sustenance and enjoyment.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ar-Rahman's broader thematic context, which systematically enumerates Allah's countless blessings (ni'am) to humanity and creation. The surah, revealed in Medina, serves as a reminder of divine mercy and provision, with each ayah describing different manifestations of Allah's generosity in nature, sustenance, and creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi) - relating to the theme of provision and care. Additionally, hadith collections contain references to the Prophet's encouragement to plant trees and cultivate land as a form of charity and obedience to Allah's command to utilize His creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize and appreciate the diverse blessings Allah has placed in creation, from practical sustenance to aesthetic beauty, encouraging gratitude and mindfulness of divine providence in our daily encounters with the natural world.