وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَأَنْهَـٰرًا وَسُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ 15
Translations
And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you may be guided,
Transliteration
Wa alqa fil-ardi rawasiya an tamida bikum wa anharan wa subulan laallakum tahtadun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has placed firm mountains on the earth to prevent it from shaking and trembling, and has created rivers and pathways to facilitate human movement and survival. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the 'mountains' (rawasiya) serve as stabilizers for the earth's crust, while the 'rivers' and 'paths' represent both literal water sources and routes for trade and communication, all designed as divine mercies to guide humanity toward proper living and the path of righteousness.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), a Meccan surah that discusses the signs of Allah's creation and provision. It appears in a passage enumerating various blessings bestowed upon humanity—mountains, livestock, ships, and celestial bodies—each demonstrating Allah's power and providence. This particular verse connects geological and geographical features to both physical stability and spiritual guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). While not directly about mountains, this relates to the theme of guidance (hidayah) mentioned in the verse's conclusion. Additionally, the Prophet emphasized gratitude for Allah's blessings, including safe passage on land and water.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah's provision extends beyond mere sustenance to include the physical infrastructure that makes human civilization possible—from geological stability to transportation networks. For modern readers, it invites reflection on gratitude for natural resources and infrastructure, while spiritually reminding us that all paths of guidance, both literal and metaphorical, originate from divine mercy.