كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا۟ فِيهِ فَيَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبِى ۖ وَمَن يَحْلِلْ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبِى فَقَدْ هَوَىٰ 81
Translations
[Saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e., perished]."
Transliteration
Kulū min ṭayyibāti mā razaqnākum wa lā taṭghaw fīhi fa-yaḥilla ʿalaykum ghaḍabī wa man yaḥlil ʿalayhi ghaḍabī fa-qad hawā
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commands the Children of Israel to eat from the pure and wholesome provisions He has granted them, while warning them against excess and transgression in consuming these blessings. Ibn Kathir explains that ṭayyibāt (pure things) refers to the halal, nourishing sustenance provided by Allah, while taṭghaw (exceeding bounds) encompasses greed, wastefulness, and ingratitude. Those who violate this command and become haughty in their consumption will incur Allah's wrath, which leads to spiritual ruin and destruction.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Taha's account of Allah's favors upon the Children of Israel in the desert. It follows the narrative of the provision of manna and quail, and addresses the Israelites' tendency toward excess and ingratitude despite receiving divine blessings. The surah emphasizes the consequences of transgression against divine commands even when abundantly provided for.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'No one fills a vessel worse than the stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine upright.' This hadith complements the ayah's warning against excess in consumption. Additionally, Tirmidhi records that the Prophet warned against wastefulness (isrāf) in all matters, including food and drink.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to consume blessings gratefully and moderately, recognizing that both indulgence and wastefulness constitute a form of transgression that invites divine displeasure. In contemporary life, it calls for mindful consumption that honors the gift of provision while guarding against greed and excess.