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Tafsir

Scholarly commentary explaining a verse — its context, its meaning and how the scholars have understood it.

Al-An'am 6:99

Word by word

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّـٰتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍ ۗ ٱنظُرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكُمْ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

Ibn Kathir (Abridged) English Ma'arif al-Qur'an English Tafsir Muyassar Arabic Tafsir Ibn Kathir Arabic All sources

Ibn Kathir (Abridged)

Hafiz Ibn Kathir

وَهُوَ الَّذِى أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَحِدَةٍ(It is He Who has created you from a single person,) 6:98 in reference to Adam, peace be upon him. In another Ayah, Allah said; يَـأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيراً وَنِسَآءً(O mankind! Have Taqwa of your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his mate, and from them both He created many men and women.)4:1 Allah said, فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ(Mustaqar and Mustawda`) Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, Abu `Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami, Qays bin Abu Hazim, Mujahid, `Ata', Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, As-Suddi and `Ata' Al-Khurasani and others said that, فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ(Mustaqar), `in the wombs'. They, or most of them, also said that, وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ(And Mustawda`,) means, `in your father's loins'. Ibn Mas`ud and several others said that, Mustaqar, means residence in this life, while, Mustawda`, means the place of storage after death (the grave).

Allah's statement, قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الاٌّيَـتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ(Indeed, We have explained in detail Our revelations for people who understand.) refers to those who comprehend and understand Allah's Words and its meanings. Allah said next, وَهُوَ الَّذِى أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً(It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky) in due measure, as a blessing and provision for the servants, relief and means of survival for the creatures and mercy from Allah for His creation. Allah's statement, فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ(And with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds,) is similar to, وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ(And We have made from water every living thing.) 21:30 فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِراً(and out of it We bring forth green stalks,) green produce and trees, on which We grow seeds and fruits. نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبّاً مُّتَرَاكِباً(from which We bring forth thick clustered grain.) lined on top of each other in clusters, like an ear or spike of grain.

وَمِنَ النَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَنٌ(And out of the date-palm and its sprouts come forth clusters) of dates دَانِيَةٌ(hanging low) Within reach and easy to pick. `Ali bin Abi Talhah Al-Walibi said that Ibn `Abbas said that, قِنْوَنٌ دَانِيَةٌ(clusters hanging low) refers to short date trees whose branches hang low, close to the ground. This was recorded by Ibn Jarir. Allah's statement وَجَنَّـتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَـبٍ(and gardens of grapes,) means, We bring forth gardens of grapes. Grapes and dates are the most precious fruits to the people of Al-Hijaz (Western Arabia), and perhaps both are the best fruits in this world. Allah has reminded His servants of His favor in making these two fruits for them, when He said, وَمِن ثَمَرَتِ النَّخِيلِ وَالاٌّعْنَـبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا(And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you derive strong drink and a goodly provision.) 16:67 before intoxicating drinks were prohibited, and; وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّـتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَـبٍ(And We have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes.) 36:34.

Allah said, وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهاً وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَـبِهٍ(olives and pomegranates, each similar yet different.) The leaves are similar in shape and appearence, yet different in the shape, and taste. And the kind of fruit each plant produces is different, according to the explanation of Qatadah and several others. Allah's statement, انْظُرُواْ إِلِى ثَمَرِهِ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ(Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and Yan`ih.) means, when the fruits become ripe, according to Al-Bara' bin `Azib, Ibn `Abbas, Ad-Dahhak, `Ata' Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi, Qatadah and others. This Ayah means, contemplate the ability of the Creator of these fruits, Who brought them into existence after they were dry wood, and they later became grapes and dates; and similar is the case with the various colors, shapes, tastes and fragrance of whatever Allah created.

Allah said, وَفِى الاٌّرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَـوِرَتٌ وَجَنَّـتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَـبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَنٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَنٍ يُسْقَى بِمَآءٍ وَحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِى الاٍّكُلِ(And in the earth are neighbouring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops, and date-palms, growing out, two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise, watered with the same water, yet some of them We make better than others to eat.) 13:4 This is why Allah said here, إِنَّ فِى ذلِكُمْ(In these things there are...) O people, لاّيَـتٍ(signs...) and proofs that testify to the perfect ability, wisdom and mercy of He Who created these things, لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ(for people who believe. ) in Allah and obey His Messengers.

Ma'arif al-Qur'an

Mufti Muhammad Shafi

Commentary

The contents of this verse present a unique concern for thematic order. It will be noticed that three kinds of universes have been mentioned here: The low, the high and the atmosphere - that is, what generates in what we know as the Biosphere. The description was initiated with the mention of that which is on the lower level because it is closer to us. Then, it was split in two parts. One part of the statement covered vegetation which grows on the land, plants and trees and gardens. The other part featured life forms as beasts, human beings and animals. The first part was given precedence because it is more obvious as compared to the other. Then comes the case of that which has been made to come after, the other part. This is different. It has Ruh, soul or spirit. It is deep, depends on progression from the sperm to its various stages and attending conditions, something allied with the comprehension, diagnosis and judgment of physicians - contrary to the case of vegetation which, in its growth, flowering and ripening etc., is observable commonly.

Then, mentioned there was the atmosphere and its life support system, the morning and the evening. Then, came the mention of what is higher, the sun, the moon, and the stars. After that, since what is at the lower level is observed more frequently, the subject was repeated and made the concluding statement. But, firstly it was taken up briefly, now it was taken up in detail - yet, in the order of this detail, the order of brevity was reversed by giving precedence to life forms and succession to the mention of vegetation. Perhaps, its basis is that the detailed statement highlights the expression of gratitude for blessings which, in that status, makes the blessed - being the intended recipients - deserving of being given precedence. As for vegetation, the previous order stays as the status of the donees, that is, of seeds and pits, remains preceded. That rain has been mentioned in between is subservient to the mention of vegetation. Incidentally, there might be another element of refinement here - in that rain has different states.

In terms of its origin, it comes from the high; and in terms of its destination, it comes down to the low; and in terms of the distance covered, it is part of the atmosphere.

Tafsir Muyassar

Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Saudi Arabia

والله سبحانه هو الذي أنزل من السحاب مطرًا فأخرج به نبات كل شيء، فأخرج من النبات زرعًا وشجرًا أخضر، ثم أخرح من الزرع حَبًّا يركب بعضه بعضًا، كسنابل القمح والشعير والأرز، وأخرج من طلع النخل -وهو ما تنشأ فيه عذوق الرطب- عذوقًا قريبة التناول، وأخرج سبحانه بساتين من أعناب، وأخرج شجر الزيتون والرمان الذي يتشابه في ورقه ويختلف في ثمره شكلا وطعمًا وطبعًا. انظروا أيها الناس إلى ثمر هذا النبات إذا أثمر، وإلى نضجه وبلوغه حين يبلغ. إن في ذلكم - أيها الناس - لدلالات على كمال قدرة خالق هذه الأشياء وحكمته ورحمته لقوم يصدقون به تعالى ويعملون بشرعه.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Hafiz Ibn Kathir

وقوله : ( وهو الذي أنزل من السماء ماء ) أي بقدر مباركا ، رزقا للعباد وغياثا للخلائق ، رحمة من الله لخلقه ( فأخرجنا به نبات كل شيء ) كما قال ( وجعلنا من الماء كل شيء حي ) [ الأنبياء : 30 ] ( فأخرجنا منه خضرا ) أي : زرعا وشجرا أخضر ، ثم بعد ذلك يخلق فيه الحب والثمر; ولهذا قال : ( نخرج منه حبا متراكبا ) أي : يركب بعضه بعضا ، كالسنابل ونحوها ( ومن النخل من طلعها قنوان ) أي : جمع قنو وهي عذوق الرطب ) دانية ) أي : قريبة من المتناول ، كما قال علي بن أبي طلحة الوالبي ، عن ابن عباس : ( قنوان دانية ) يعني بالقنوان الدانية : قصار النخل اللاصقة عذوقها بالأرض .

رواه ابن جرير .قال ابن جرير : وأهل الحجاز يقولون : قنوان ، وقيس يقولون : قنوان ، وقال امرؤ القيس :فأثت أعاليه وآدت أصوله ومال بقنوان من البسر أحمراقال : وتميم يقولون قنيان بالياء - قال : وهي جمع قنو ، كما أن ( صنوان ) جمع صنو .وقوله : ( وجنات من أعناب ) أي : ونخرج منه جنات من أعناب ، وهذان النوعان هما أشرف عند أهل الحجاز ، وربما كانا خيار الثمار في الدنيا ، كما امتن تعالى بهما على عباده ، في قوله : ( ومن ثمرات النخيل والأعناب تتخذون منه سكرا ورزقا حسنا ) [ النحل : 67 ] ، وكان ذلك قبل تحريم الخمر .وقال : ( وجعلنا فيها جنات من نخيل وأعناب ) [ يس : 34 ] .وقوله : ( والزيتون والرمان مشتبها وغير متشابه ) قال قتادة وغيره : يتشابه في الورق ، قريب الشكل بعضه من بعض ، ويتخالف في الثمار شكلا وطعما وطبعا .وقوله : ( انظروا إلى ثمره إذا أثمر وينعه ) أي : نضجه ، قاله البراء بن عازب ، وابن عباس ، والضحاك ، وعطاء الخراساني ، والسدي ، وقتادة ، وغيرهم .

أي : فكروا في قدرة خالقه من العدم إلى الوجود ، بعد أن كان حطبا صار عنبا ورطبا وغير ذلك ، مما خلق تعالى من الألوان والأشكال والطعوم والروائح ، كما قال تعالى : ( وفي الأرض قطع متجاورات وجنات من أعناب وزرع ونخيل صنوان وغير صنوان يسقى بماء واحد ونفضل بعضها على بعض في الأكل إن في ذلك لآيات لقوم يعقلون ) [ الرعد : 4 ] ولهذا قال هاهنا ( إن في ذلكم لآيات ) أي : دلالات على كمال قدرة خالق هذه الأشياء وحكمته ورحمته ( لقوم يؤمنون ) أي : يصدقون به ، ويتبعون رسله .

Tafsir is provided for educational reference. Paragraph breaks are added for readability — the wording of each commentary is unchanged. For religious guidance, consult a qualified scholar.