وَلَهُ ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْمُنشَـَٔاتُ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ كَٱلْأَعْلَـٰمِ 24
Translations
And to Him belong the ships [with sails] elevated in the sea like mountains.
Transliteration
Wa lahu al-jawāri al-munsha'ātu fi al-bahri ka-al-a'lām
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the ships built and sailing in the sea, which Allah has created and subjected to mankind's use, comparing them to mountains due to their towering size and grandeur. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this verse demonstrates Allah's power and benevolence in providing vessels that traverse the seas, serving as a sign of His dominion over all creation. The comparison to mountains (al-a'lām) highlights the magnificent engineering and impressive scale of these ships, which appear as prominent landmarks upon the water.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah Ar-Rahman, a Medinan surah known as 'Ayat ar-Rahman' (the verses of the Beneficent), which extensively enumerates Allah's blessings upon creation. The surah focuses on cataloging divine favors across the natural world, and this particular verse is part of a series describing various blessings, including ships as among the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity for maritime trade and travel.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific verse, Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections contain hadiths about the virtue of sea travel and merchants at sea, such as the hadith praising those who fear Allah while traveling. Additionally, hadiths regarding the prohibition of oppression and the protection of travelers relate thematically to humanity's responsible use of these vessels.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers to recognize and appreciate the extraordinary blessings Allah has provided, particularly in facilitating trade and connection between peoples through maritime vessels. It encourages gratitude for technological advancement and human capability, while reminding us that all such gifts ultimately derive from Allah's infinite wisdom and mercy.