وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ 5
Translations
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.
Transliteration
Wal-an'ama khalaqaha, lakum fiha difun wa manafi'u wa minha ta'kulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah created livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, camels) for humanity's benefit, providing warmth through their wool, fur, and hides, along with numerous other benefits including transportation, milk, and meat for sustenance. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this ayah demonstrates Allah's mercy and provision for mankind, highlighting how these animals serve multiple essential purposes in human life. The verse is part of a broader discussion of Allah's signs (ayat) in creation that should inspire gratitude and recognition of divine providence.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), a Meccan surah that focuses extensively on Allah's signs and blessings in creation. The surah uses the bee as a primary example of Allah's wisdom, and this particular ayah fits within a sequence listing various blessings Allah has created for humanity—the context emphasizes recognizing divine favor through observable creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever is merciful, even to the creatures on earth, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Prophet encouraged kindness to animals, stating 'In every creature's body there is a reward for charity' (Sahih Bukhari).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize and appreciate the multiple blessings Allah has woven into creation, particularly the livestock that sustain human life, and encourages gratitude through proper treatment and ethical use of these creatures. For modern readers, it underscores the responsibility to be mindful stewards of animal resources, using them with gratitude and without waste.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
Or that He would not seize them during their [usual] activity, and they could not cause failure [i.e., escape from Him]?
وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَـٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And they carry your loads to a land you could not have reached except with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
They recognize the favor of Allāh; then they deny it. And most of them are disbelievers.