وَفَـٰكِهَةً وَأَبًّا 31
Translations
And fruit and grass -
Transliteration
wa-fākihatan wa-abba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the fruits and pasture vegetation that Allah has provided for sustenance. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that 'fākihah' (fruits) denotes the sweet, desirable fruits, while 'abb' refers to herbage and pasture plants that grow from the earth for both human consumption and livestock grazing. Together, these verses emphasize Allah's abundant provision of diverse foods from the earth, demonstrating His mercy and wisdom in creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah 'Abasa, a Meccan surah that begins with the Prophet's frown at a blind companion, then pivots to describe Allah's signs and blessings in creation. Verses 31-32 are part of a sequence enumerating the divine provisions (water, vegetation, fruits, livestock) that sustain all life, serving as evidence of Allah's power and generosity to those who deny the resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Verily, in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, the whole body is whole, and which, if it be diseased, the whole body is diseased. Verily, it is the heart.' (Sahih Bukhari 52) - Related thematically to gratitude for sustenance and wholesome provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to reflect upon Allah's continuous provision of nourishment through varied sources—fruits and vegetation—as a reminder to be grateful and recognize our dependence on the Divine. It encourages us to appreciate the diversity of provision around us and to acknowledge these blessings as signs of Allah's benevolence and wisdom.