وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقُرَى ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَـٰهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا ٱلسَّيْرَ ۖ سِيرُوا۟ فِيهَا لَيَالِىَ وَأَيَّامًا ءَامِنِينَ 18
Translations
And We placed between them and the cities which We had blessed [many] visible cities. And We determined between them the [distances of] journey, [saying], "Travel between them by night or by day in safety."
Transliteration
Wa ja'alna baynahum wa bayna al-qura allatee barakna feeha quran zahirah wa qaddarna feeha al-sayr. Seeru feeha layali wa ayyaman aminin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah established visible towns and settlements between the people of Saba and the blessed cities, and facilitated the journey between them by determining stages of travel, commanding them to journey through these lands night and day in safety and security. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain this as a reference to the prosperity and ease Allah granted to the Sabeans through well-distributed settlements and secure trade routes, which became a means of their worldly comfort yet also a trial that led many to arrogance and ingratitude.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Saba, which discusses the story of the people of Sheba and their blessings from Allah. The context illustrates how Allah's favors upon them—through safe passage, prosperous towns, and established trade routes—were meant to test their gratitude. This reflects the broader Meccan theme of reminding people of Allah's blessings and the consequences of ingratitude.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Sunan Ibn Majah contains traditions about the blessing of safe travel. Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized in various hadiths (Sahih Bukhari) the importance of gratitude for blessings, stating that whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
The ease and security we experience in our journeys and daily life are divine blessings that should inspire gratitude rather than arrogance. When we recognize that our comfort, safety, and prosperity come from Allah alone, we are motivated to use these blessings responsibly and remain humble before our Creator.