وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 8
Translations
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
Transliteration
Wal-khaylu wal-bighal wal-hamira litarkabūhā wa zīnatan wa yakhluqu mā lā ta'lamūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, part of Allah's enumeration of His blessings, mentions horses, mules, and donkeys as means of transportation and adornment for mankind. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that these animals were essential for daily life in Arabia, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes, while the phrase 'and He creates what you do not know' points to Allah's unlimited creative power beyond human comprehension, humbling believers before divine wisdom.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within Surah An-Nahl's broader theme of divine blessings (ni'am) bestowed upon humanity. The surah, revealed in Mecca, systematically illustrates Allah's grace through various creations—from livestock to sustenance—encouraging reflection on divine providence and gratitude. This ayah specifically addresses the utility of domesticated animals in pre-Islamic Arabian society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of your wealth is a good horse and a good woman' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, the Prophet emphasized kindness to animals, stating: 'Whoever is merciful, even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment' (Musnad Ahmad).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize and appreciate the manifest blessings in their daily lives while acknowledging that Allah's creative wisdom extends far beyond human understanding, cultivating both gratitude and humble submission. It also establishes an ethical framework for treating animals as divine gifts deserving of respectful stewardship.
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.
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allāh, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allāh.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, indeed your Lord, to those who have done wrong out of ignorance and then repent after that and correct themselves - indeed, your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْـَٔرُونَ
And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allāh. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.