ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ 48
Translations
It is Allāh who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi yursilu ar-riyaha fatuthiru sahaban fayabsutuhu fi as-sama'i kayfa yasha'u wayaj'aluhu kisafan fatra al-wadqa yakhruju min khilalihi fa-idha asaba bihi man yasha'u min ibadih idha hum yastabshirun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's power over creation through the natural phenomenon of rainfall: He sends winds that stir up clouds, spreads them across the sky as He wills, breaks them into fragments (kisaf), and brings forth rain from within them. When this rain reaches those of His servants whom He chooses, they rejoice and celebrate, demonstrating both Allah's sovereignty over nature and the human gratitude it inspires. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as evidence of Allah's perfect wisdom and control, while Ibn Kathir notes the sequential process demonstrates the intricate mechanisms of creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rum is Meccan and addresses the polytheists of Mecca. This ayah appears in a section emphasizing Allah's signs (ayat) in creation as proof of His oneness and power. The context is polemical—the Quran uses observable natural phenomena that the Arabs directly witnessed to challenge their idolatry and affirm monotheistic belief.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'No year is worse for the people than a year of drought, and no blessing is greater than rain.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi) This hadith echoes the ayah's theme of rain as a divine blessing and mercy.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize Allah's active involvement in the natural world and to cultivate gratitude for His blessings, however small they may seem. Observing the intricate process of rain formation should inspire awe at divine wisdom and thankfulness, transforming everyday natural occurrences into reminders of our dependence on the Almighty.