Surah Ghafir (40) — Ayah 79

(Ayah 79 to 81) ➊ {اَللّٰهُ الَّذِيْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَنْعَامَ لِتَرْكَبُوْا …: ’’ جَعَلَ ‘‘} here is in the meaning of {’’خَلَقَ‘‘}, as He said: «اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضَ وَ جَعَلَ الظُّلُمٰتِ وَ النُّوْرَ » [ الأنعام : ۱ ] “All praise is due to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light.” {’’ الْاَنْعَامَ ‘‘ ’’نَعَمٌ‘‘} (with fatha on noon and ‘ayn) is the plural, meaning camels, cows, sheep, and goats, both male and female. (See Al-An‘am: 142, 143) These are very great blessings of Allah. Generally, this word is used for camels. In this verse, most of the mentioned benefits are about camels. For a detailed explanation of these verses, see Surah An-Nahl (5 to 8, 66, 80) and Surah Al-Mu’minun (21, 22).

➋ In {’’ لِتَرْكَبُوْا مِنْهَا ‘‘}, the mention of riding on animals is stated, then in the next verse, along with ships, the mention of riding on them is repeated. Some commentators have explained the wisdom in this that in {’’ لِتَرْكَبُوْا مِنْهَا ‘‘} the usual riding between cities and towns is meant, and by {’’ تُحْمَلُوْنَ ‘‘} distant journeys are meant. (Ibn ‘Atiyyah) (And Allah knows best)

➌ Commentator Abdul Rahman Kilani writes: “The disbelievers of Makkah used to demand various tangible miracles from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to which one answer was given in the previous verse that presenting such a miracle is not within the power of the Messenger. In these verses, a second answer to the same demand of the disbelievers is given, that the signs of Allah can be found all around you, to your right and left, inside and outside, above and below. If you reflect, guidance for accepting the right path is present in them as well. For example, look at the livestock you keep; observe them, their structure and nature We have made such that they immediately become subservient to you, then you derive thousands of kinds of benefits from them. From their milk you make cream, butter, cheese, ghee, and lassi, and these things are an extremely important part of your body. Then you ride on them. They carry your heavy loads, plow your fields, draw water from wells, and you use them for all kinds of labor. Then you slaughter them and eat their meat, make clothing from their hair, and after their death, you use even their bones, skins, and teeth. Who created this submissive nature in these animals for humans? Who is the One who took care of your needs to such an extent even before your birth?

Now look at the other side: three-fourths of the earth is covered with water or seas, and only one-fourth is dry land, on which you and all your livestock live. Why did Allah create such a vast store of water for such a small portion of dry land? Have you ever reflected on this sign of Allah? Then He made water and winds subject to such natural laws that you became capable of sailing boats and ships in rivers and seas. If Allah were to change even these natural laws—and He is the Creator of everything and can do as He wills—could you have sailed ships, or even lived on this earth? Then also consider: the Wise Lord Who has given you so many countless things under your control, will He leave man with so much authority just like that, and never take account of His blessings, nor ask whether the merciful Lord Who took such care of all your needs and continued to send down His mercies—did man value these blessings of Allah and show gratitude, or did he prove to be ungrateful and began to offer his devotion to others instead of Allah?” (Tayseer al-Qur’an)