ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ 53
Translations
[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.
Transliteration
Al-ladhi ja'ala lakumu al-arda mahdan wa salaka lakum fiha subulan wa anzala mina as-sama'i ma'an fa-akhrajnā bihi azwājan min nabātin shattā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Allah's provision and mercies toward humanity by highlighting His creation of the earth as a comfortable dwelling place (mahd), the establishment of pathways upon it, and the sending down of water from the sky to produce diverse varieties of vegetation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these are signs of Allah's wisdom and power, demonstrating His careful provision for human sustenance and survival. Al-Qurtubi notes that the plural form 'azwāj' (pairs/varieties) underscores the remarkable diversity of plant life created from a single water source, pointing to divine excellence in creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Taha (a Meccan chapter) within Allah's address to Musa (Moses) at Mount Sinai. The broader context deals with divine signs and Allah's favors, which serve as evidence of His oneness and ability. The ayah is part of an extended section emphasizing Allah's blessings as proof of His lordship, relevant to the Meccan audience's need to recognize monotheism.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is water' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), relating to water's essential role in sustenance. Additionally, 'Whoever plants a tree and guards it until it bears fruit, for him is a reward' (Musnad Ahmad), reflecting the blessing of vegetation mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize Allah's continuous mercies in everyday provision—the stable earth beneath us, accessible pathways, and abundant plant life all testify to His care. For modern readers, it encourages gratitude for natural resources and environmental stewardship, reminding us that the diversity and abundance of creation reflect divine wisdom.