فَجَعَلَهُۥ غُثَآءً أَحْوَىٰ 5
Translations
And [then] makes it black stubble.
Transliteration
Faja'alahu ghuthaaan ahwa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah made the pasture (herbage) become dry, withered chaff of a dark color. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to how Allah causes vegetation to wither and become dark refuse after it has been green and fresh, illustrating the transience of worldly things and Allah's complete control over creation. The term 'ghuthaa' (غثاء) literally means chaff or refuse, emphasizing how what appears beneficial can quickly become worthless.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-A'la, a Meccan surah that emphasizes Allah's majesty, creative power, and the contrast between the eternal and the temporal. It follows the description of how Allah created the pasture (verse 4), demonstrating the cycle of creation and decay as evidence of Allah's supreme authority and the futility of worldly attachments.
Related Hadiths
The theme of worldly transience is reflected in the hadith: 'The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever' (Sahih Muslim). Additionally, the hadith regarding the 'Day of Resurrection' describes how vegetation will be scattered like chaff (Sunan Ibn Majah), resonating with this ayah's imagery.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that all worldly possessions and pleasures are temporary and will inevitably fade away like withered chaff, encouraging detachment from material pursuits and focusing on eternal spiritual development and obedience to Allah.