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
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ ۚ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allāh and avoid ṭāghūt." And among them were those whom Allāh guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا۟ ثُمَّ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ وَصَبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Then, indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been compelled [to say words of disbelief] and thereafter fought [for the cause of Allāh] and were patient - indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not see the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up except Allāh. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۙ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muḥammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.