ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ لِتَرْكَبُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ 79
Translations
It is Allāh who made for you the grazing animals upon which you ride, and some of them you eat.
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi ja'ala lakumu al-an'ama litarkabuu minha wa minha ta'kulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is the One who created livestock (an'am) for humanity with dual purposes: for riding/transportation and for sustenance through eating. This ayah emphasizes divine providence and the multiplicity of blessings in a single creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates Allah's wisdom in providing creatures that serve both practical and nutritional needs, highlighting the perfection of divine creation and care for human welfare.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ghafir, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes monotheism and Allah's lordship over creation. The surah focuses on divine signs (ayat) in creation as evidence of Allah's uniqueness. This particular verse falls within a passage enumerating the blessings Allah has bestowed on humanity, reinforcing the theme of gratitude and recognition of divine favors.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith regarding the prohibition of excessive slaughter and animal mistreatment reflects the Islamic ethic of honoring these divine blessings (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize and be grateful for the multifaceted blessings Allah has provided in creation, understanding that every provision serves divine wisdom. This awareness cultivates both gratitude to Allah and responsible stewardship of the creatures entrusted to human care.
Related Ayahs
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ قُضِىَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ
And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you. And it was not for any messenger to bring a sign [or verse] except by permission of Allāh. So when the command of Allāh comes, it will be concluded [i.e., judged] in truth, and the falsifiers will thereupon lose [all].
قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَكْبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا كُلٌّ فِيهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ حَكَمَ بَيْنَ ٱلْعِبَادِ
Those who had been arrogant will say, "Indeed, all [of us] are in it. Indeed, Allāh has judged between the servants."
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوٓا۟ أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا۟ شُيُوخًا ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلِتَبْلُغُوٓا۟ أَجَلًا مُّسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
It is He who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot; then He brings you out as a child; then [He develops you] that you reach your [time of] maturity, then [further] that you become elders. And among you is he who is taken in death before [that], so that you reach a specified term; and perhaps you will use reason.
فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۚ فَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ
So be patient, [O Muḥammad]; indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And whether We show you some of what We have promised them or We take you in death, it is to Us they will be returned.