وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَـٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ 7
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa tahmilu athqaalakum ila baladin lam takunu bi alighihi illa bi shiqqi al-anfus. Inna rabbakum la raûfun rahîm.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to livestock (specifically beasts of burden like camels, horses, and donkeys) that carry heavy loads to distant lands that would otherwise be unreachable or extremely difficult for humans to traverse. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's mercy in providing these animals as a means of transport and commerce, reducing human hardship in travel. The ayah emphasizes that reaching such distant places would require extreme exertion ("shiqq al-nafs" - breaking one's soul) without these animals, yet Allah has made it easier through His compassion and mercy.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), a Meccan chapter that extensively details Allah's blessings and signs in creation. Specifically, verses 5-8 discuss various types of livestock and their benefits to humanity. The broader context addresses the countless favors animals provide—sustenance, clothing, transportation, and beauty—encouraging reflection on divine mercy and gratitude.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever is merciful, even to the creatures of the earth, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Quran emphasizes kind treatment of animals: 'A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died' (Sahih Bukhari), demonstrating the importance of caring for these creatures that Allah has provided.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize and appreciate the often-overlooked blessings Allah has placed in our daily lives, particularly in animals and resources that ease our burdens. It reminds us that Allah's mercy is manifest in practical ways, and should inspire gratitude, humility, and compassionate stewardship toward all creatures.