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
لَخَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.
أَسْبَـٰبَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَـٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّى لَأَظُنُّهُۥ كَـٰذِبًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوٓءُ عَمَلِهِۦ وَصُدَّ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِى تَبَابٍ
The ways into the heavens - so that I may look at the deity of Moses; but indeed, I think he is a liar." And thus was made attractive to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he was averted from the [right] way. And the plan of Pharaoh was not except in ruin.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَأَوْرَثْنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ
And We had certainly given Moses guidance, and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit the Scripture
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُم بِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ
And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, 'Never will Allāh send a messenger after him.' Thus does Allāh leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."