لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ 35
Translations
That they may eat of His fruit. And their hands have not produced it, so will they not be grateful?
Transliteration
Liyakuloo min thamarih wa ma amilathu aydihim, afala yashurun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the fruits and crops that people eat from the gardens and orchards that Allah has created for them, as well as the produce they cultivate through their own labor and effort. The verse concludes with a rhetorical question emphasizing that despite receiving these blessings, many people fail to show gratitude to Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this ayah demonstrates the combined role of divine creation and human effort in producing sustenance, yet highlights the inexplicable human tendency toward ingratitude.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Ya-Sin (36), a Meccan chapter that emphasizes Allah's creative power and signs in nature. The broader context (36:33-35) discusses how Allah revives dead earth with rain and produces varied fruits and vegetation, illustrating divine omnipotence. The ayah fits within the surah's theme of encouraging belief in Allah's signs and warning against disbelief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi 3895), which relates to gratitude and proper behavior. Additionally, the Qur'anic principle of gratitude is reinforced in the hadith: 'Whoever is not grateful for the small things will not be grateful for the great things' (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that sustenance comes through a partnership between Allah's creation and our own sincere effort, but the ultimate source is divine. We should cultivate awareness of Allah's blessings in our daily provisions and express gratitude, recognizing that thankfulness is not merely a feeling but an obligation that strengthens our faith and attracts further blessings.