أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱلْفُلْكَ تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُم مِّنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ 31
Translations
Do you not see that ships sail through the sea by the favor of Allāh that He may show you of His signs? Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
Transliteration
Alam tara anna al-fulka tajree fee al-bahri bi-ni'mati Allah li-yuriyakum min ayatihi. Inna fee dhalika la-ayatin li-kulli sabbarin shakur.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah directs attention to the miracle of ships sailing smoothly across the sea as a divine sign and blessing from Allah, demonstrating His power and providence. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that the safe navigation of vessels is entirely dependent on Allah's grace and mercy, serving as evidence of His existence and attributes. The ayah concludes by noting that such signs are fully appreciated only by those who combine patience (sabr) in adversity with gratitude (shukur) for blessings.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Luqman, a Meccan chapter focused on moral teachings and divine signs in creation. It forms part of the broader theme of recognizing Allah's signs (ayat) throughout the natural world, which runs through the surah as Luqman advises his son about monotheism and righteous conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are patient and grateful.' (Tirmidhi, Hadith 2307). Additionally, the Quran emphasizes in multiple hadiths the importance of recognizing divine signs in nature as a means to strengthen faith and conviction.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should cultivate awareness of Allah's miracles in daily life—such as the safe journeys we undertake—and respond with both gratitude for blessings and patient perseverance through hardships. This balanced attitude of sabr and shukur is the key to spiritual growth and recognizing the divine in our circumstances.
Related Ayahs
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِيَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not see that We made the night that they may rest therein and the day giving sight? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ تَفْصِيلًا
And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَـٰهَا
And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."
سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فِى ٱلْـَٔافَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?