أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦ ثَمَرَٰتٍ مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهَا ۚ وَمِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌۢ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ 27
Translations
Do you not see that Allāh sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby fruits of varying colors? And in the mountains are tracts, white and red of varying shades and [some] extremely black.
Transliteration
Alam tara anna Allaha anzala mina as-sama'i maan fa-akhrajnā bihi thamarātin mukhtalifan alwānuhā wa min al-jibāli judadun bīdun wa humrun mukhtalifun alwānuhā wa gharābību sūdun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah directs attention to Allah's creative power demonstrated through the diversity of creation: the rain that brings forth fruits of varied colors, and the mountains striped with varied hues of white, red, and black. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as evidence of Allah's wisdom and artistry in design, showcasing how a single cause (rain) produces multiple varied effects, reflecting the divine knowledge that orchestrates all creation. The diversity itself becomes a sign (ayah) of the Creator's uniqueness and intentionality.
Revelation Context
Surah Fatir is Meccan and addresses the fundamental theme of tawhid (monotheism) through contemplation of creation. This ayah occurs in a section (35:24-35) that challenges the disbelievers to observe and reflect upon the signs of Allah in nature—water, fruits, mountains, and the variations within them—as proofs of divine existence and unique creative power.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). More thematically, 'Whoever reflects upon the creation of the heavens and earth will realize the signs of Allah's power' - a concept reflected in multiple Quranic contexts encouraging reflection on creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to move beyond passive observation of nature to active reflection on the Creator's wisdom, recognizing that the magnificent diversity and precision in creation—from fruits to mountains—should inspire awe, gratitude, and deeper faith in Allah's singular mastery over all things.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَـٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً لَّن تَبُورَ
Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allāh and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a transaction [i.e., profit] that will never perish -
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ هَلْ مِنْ خَـٰلِقٍ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
O mankind, remember the favor of Allāh upon you. Is there any creator other than Allāh who provides for you from the heaven and earth? There is no deity except Him, so how are you deluded?
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ
And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allāh, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Forgiving.
وَإِن يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ
And if they deny you, [O Muḥammad] - already were messengers denied before you. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.