وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَـٰهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ 33
Translations
And a sign for them is the dead earth. We have brought it to life and brought forth from it grain, and from it they eat.
Transliteration
Wa ayatun lahumu al-ardu al-mayyatatu ahyaynaha wa akhrajnaa minhaa habban faminhhu ya'kuluun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the revival of dead land as a profound sign (ayah) of Allah's power and mercy—He revives barren earth and brings forth grain from it, which sustains humanity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as evidence of resurrection and divine creative ability; just as Allah resurrects dead land, He will resurrect the dead on the Day of Judgment. The ayah demonstrates Allah's provision and wisdom in creating sustenance from the earth for human consumption.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Ya-Sin, a Meccan chapter focused on tawhid (monotheism), prophethood, and signs of Allah's existence. The broader context addresses the disbelievers' denial of resurrection; by pointing to the annual cycle of dead land becoming fertile, the Quran provides a concrete, observable proof of Allah's ability to resurrect human beings, making it relevant to the Meccan audience's spiritual struggles.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the concept connects to the Prophet's (ﷺ) teachings on gratitude and provision. A related hadith from Sahih Bukhari emphasizes that the Prophet taught gratitude for Allah's blessings in sustenance, and another tradition encourages tilling the land and planting seeds as an act of trust in Allah's provision.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as Allah revives dead earth into fertile, productive land, He has complete power over all creation and resurrection. For believers today, this ayah invites reflection on divine providence in daily sustenance and should inspire gratitude for food, appreciation of agricultural cycles, and renewed faith in Allah's ultimate power over life and death.