Surah An-Nahl 16:10

The Blessings of Rain, and explaining how it is one of the Signs

When Allah mentions the blessings of cattle and other animals that He has granted mankind, He then mentions how He has blessed them by sending rain down from the sky above, which has been fulfilling the needs and bringing joy to people and their cattle. Allah says:

(from it you drink) meaning, He made it fresh and pure so that they can drink it, not salty and undrinkable.

(and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture.) meaning, from it He raised plants on which your cattle graze. Ibn `Abbas, `Ikrimah, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and Ibn Zayd, all said that this refers to grazing animals including camels.

(With it He causes crops to grow for you, olives, date palms, grapes, and every kind of fruit.) meaning, with this one kind of water, He makes the earth sprout plants with different tastes, colors, scents and shapes. For this reason He says,

(Verily, in this there is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.) meaning, this is a sign and a proof that there is no god besides Allah, as He says:

(Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends water down for you from the sky, from which We cause wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight to grow You are not able to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah Nay, but they are a people who make equals (to Him)!) (27:60).

Allah menyebutkan nikmat yang diperoleh manusia dari langit secara langsung atau tidak langsung. Nikmat Allah yang mereka peroleh secara langsung adalah air hujan yang dapat dijadikan air minum dan keperluan lainnya dalam kehidupan mereka sehari-hari, seperti mandi, mencuci pakaian, dan lain sebagainya. Turunnya air hujan juga membuat udara yang panas menjadi sejuk dan menyegarkan badan.

Sedang nikmat Allah yang diperoleh secara tidak langsung dari air hujan adalah air itu dapat mengairi sawah dan menghidupkan segala macam tumbuh-tumbuhan. Segala tumbuhan itu sangat bermanfaat bagi manusia dan makhluk lain, seperti manusia dapat menggembalakan binatang ternak mereka di padang rumput.

Ayat ini merupakan salah satu dari sekian banyak ayat yang berbicara mengenai hujan dan kesuburan yang diakibatkannya. Untuk rincian mengenai hujan lihat Surah an-Nur/24: 43 dan ar-Rum/30: 48-49. Sedang-kan uraian mengenai bagaimana hujan sangat berperan untuk kesuburan dapat dilihat pada Surah Qaf/50: 9-11.