ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمَ لِتَرْكَبُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ 79
Translations
It is Allāh who made for you the grazing animals upon which you ride, and some of them you eat.
Transliteration
Allahu alladhi ja'ala lakumu al-an'ama litarkabuu minha wa minha ta'kulun
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah is the One who created livestock (an'am) for humanity with dual purposes: for riding/transportation and for sustenance through eating. This ayah emphasizes divine providence and the multiplicity of blessings in a single creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this demonstrates Allah's wisdom in providing creatures that serve both practical and nutritional needs, highlighting the perfection of divine creation and care for human welfare.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ghafir, a Meccan chapter that emphasizes monotheism and Allah's lordship over creation. The surah focuses on divine signs (ayat) in creation as evidence of Allah's uniqueness. This particular verse falls within a passage enumerating the blessings Allah has bestowed on humanity, reinforcing the theme of gratitude and recognition of divine favors.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, the hadith regarding the prohibition of excessive slaughter and animal mistreatment reflects the Islamic ethic of honoring these divine blessings (Tirmidhi).
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize and be grateful for the multifaceted blessings Allah has provided in creation, understanding that every provision serves divine wisdom. This awareness cultivates both gratitude to Allah and responsible stewardship of the creatures entrusted to human care.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْأَشْهَـٰدُ
Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand -
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا جَآءَكُم بِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُّرْتَابٌ
And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, 'Never will Allāh send a messenger after him.' Thus does Allāh leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."
وَقِهِمُ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ وَمَن تَقِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُۥ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day - You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment."
وَكَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ
And thus has the word [i.e., decree] of your Lord come into effect upon those who disbelieved that they are companions of the Fire.