The Holy Quran, like a profound ocean, contains verses that are pearls of wisdom and guidance, inviting humanity to contemplate creation and reflect on divine blessings. Verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam eloquently and profoundly speaks about the creation of gardens, date palms, crops, olives, and pomegranates, exhorting mankind to enjoy these blessings in moderation, to fulfil the rights of the deprived, and to avoid extravagance. This treatise, by examining this noble verse, delves into its meanings and concepts, relying on the lectures of religious scholars to elucidate its theological, ethical, and social dimensions. The objective is to clarify the messages of this verse for contemporary human life with clear and firm language.
The Holy Quran in verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam, with a magnificent expression, speaks of gardens, some supported by trellises and others without, rooted in the earth. These gardens, termed in Quranic terminology as junt marsht wa ghayr marsht, symbolise the diversity and beauty of divine creation. Trellised gardens, with trees upheld by trellises whose branches form a celestial canopy, confine the sunlight within, exemplify order and harmony in creation. These gardens cast such shade as if embracing the earth, creating an environment of tranquility and beauty.
Conversely, untrellised gardens, which grow without trellises and rely on the natural sturdiness of the trees, signify simplicity and the authenticity of nature. This distinction not only points to the diversity of creation but also invites humans to contemplate divine wisdom. As the Quran states in Surah Ar-Rad, verse 4:
Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reason.
Continuing in the verse, mention is made of date palms and crops, each bearing unique characteristics that signify diversity in creation. Date palms, with their tall and sturdy structure, are neither categorised as trellised nor untrellised gardens but hold a distinct position. This independence refers to the unique features of the date palm, whose fruit is harvested from the top branches, unlike crops which are gathered from the earths base.
He it is Who produces gardens trellised and untrellised, and date palms, and crops of different kinds of food.
Crops, including wheat, barley, and other produce, differ in harvesting and consumption methods from date palms. Some products, such as wheat, require milling, whereas dates are sweet and ready to be consumed easily. This diversity, described in the Quran as mukhtalifan ukuluhu, invites reflection upon the wisdom of creation. As Surah Al-Anam, verse 50 commands:
Will you not then reflect?
The verse then refers to olives and pomegranates as similar yet dissimilar; that is, they share likeness and difference simultaneously. Both are trees, but olives are small and green, while pomegranates are larger and red. This similarity and difference manifest divine wisdom in creation, inspiring human wonder. Olives and pomegranates, each with distinct features, are divine blessings calling humanity to moderate enjoyment and gratitude.
This segment of verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam, through the depiction of divine blessingsfrom trellised and untrellised gardens to date palms, crops, olives, and pomegranatesinvites mankind to reflect on the grandeur and diversity of creation. Each blessing, fashioned with particular traits, is a sign of Gods power and wisdom, calling humanity to gratitude and moderate utilisation.
Following the description of divine blessings, the Holy Quran invites humanity to partake of these blessings:
Eat of its fruit when it yields.
This invitation not only endorses utilisation of the blessings but also emphasises enjoyment at the appropriate time. Divine blessings are trusts that must be used carefully and moderately, as Surah An-Nis, verse 58 states:
Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due.
Utilising blessings, akin to drinking from a clear spring, should be accompanied by awareness and gratitude. Man must neither spoil nor waste blessings but enjoy them at their maturity and perfection.
The verse then commands the fulfilment of the rights of the deprived:
And give its due on the day of harvest.
This directive refers to the payment of zakat on agricultural produce, particularly wheat and barley, which must be given to the needy and deprived. This concept resonates with the notion of charity in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 60:
Indeed, charities are for the poor and the needy.
Eat of its fruit when it yields, and give its due on the day of harvest.
This command, like a light in darkness, guides humanity towards social justice and concern for the needy. Zakat is not only a religious obligation but also a sign of human solidarity that rescues society from inequality and poverty.
This portion of the verse, by emphasising moderate enjoyment of blessings and fulfilling the rights of the deprived, guides humanity towards a life characterised by balance and justice. Utilisation of blessings must be coupled with gratitude and trusteeship, and zakat, acting as a bridge between the wealthy and the needy, fortifies society.
Verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam explicitly commands avoidance of wastefulness:
And do not be extravagant; indeed, He does not love the extravagant.
Wastefulness, like a consuming fire, destroys divine blessings and leads to social inequality and crises. As Surah Al-Hashr, verse 7 states:
So that it will not be a distribution among the rich from among you.
And do not be extravagant; indeed, He does not love the extravagant.
Wastefulness is not limited to food consumption but extends to any form of excess, including unnecessary accumulation of possessions. For example, hoarding excessive clothes that remain unused exemplifies wastefulness, stemming from narcissism and consumerism. Such behaviour, like a withered branch, is severed from the roots of wisdom and moderation, leading to ruin.
The Holy Quran links enjoyment of blessings with labour and effort:
Eat and drink happily for what you used to do.
This concept aligns with Surah An-Najm, verse 39:
For man is nothing except what he strives for.
Consumption without work is like eating fruit that has not been harvested through endeavour and will not be satisfying.
Religious scholars, inspired by this verse, emphasise the importance of labour and endeavour. For instance, it is advised that a person, after meeting daily needs, dedicates themselves to worship and other religious duties rather than pursuing greed and accumulation of wealth. This balance resembles a scale maintaining harmony between the worldly life and the hereafter.
One of the human lifes challenges is finding balance between this world and the hereafter. Religious scholars, citing a narration from Imam Hasan (peace be upon him), highlight this paradox:
Live in this world as if you will live forever, and prepare for the hereafter as if you will die tomorrow.
This saying, like a lamp on lifes path, invites humans to plan for the future while simultaneously being mindful of death and the hereafter. This balance aligns with the concept of qiwam in Surah Al-Anam, verse 152:
And establish weight with justice.
The lectures mention the distribution of poor-quality products, such as inferior rice sold in some regions instead of authentic rice. This act exemplifies economic injustice condemned in the Holy Quran:
And do not diminish people their things.
(Surah Al-Arf, verse 85). Offering substandard products is akin to deceiving a thirsty person with muddy water, damaging social trust and exacerbating poverty and deprivation.
Unnecessary accumulation of possessions, such as numerous unused garments, indicates narcissism and consumerism. The Quran invites moderation in behaviour in Surah Luqmn, verse 19:
And be moderate in your pace.
This accumulation acts as a heavy burden on mans shoulders, diverting him from the path of wisdom and spirituality.
This section of verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam, by critiquing wastefulness, consumerism, and economic exploitation, directs humanity towards moderation, work, and social justice. Wastefulness is a plague that ruins divine blessings, and God does not love the extravagant. Man must make blessings wholesome through labour and effort, and by charity and moderation, achieve justice and spirituality.
Verse 141 of Surah Al-Anam, like a bright mirror, displays the grandeur of divine creation and the wisdom embedded in its blessings. This verse, describing gardens, date palms, crops, olives, and pomegranates, invites mankind to reflect on the diversity and beauty of creation. Simultaneously, by emphasising moderate enjoyment, fulfilling the rights of the deprived, and abstaining from wastefulness, it opens a path toward a balanced and just life. The lectures of religious scholars, by elucidating these concepts, demonstrate how one can make divine blessings wholesome through work and effort, and attain worldly and otherworldly felicity through charity and moderation. This treatise, by representing these meanings, strives to present the eternal messages of the Holy Quran in a clear and steadfast manner to its audience.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
