Surah Al-A'raf — Verse 10

Word Meanings:

• مَكَّنَّاكُمْ (mak-kannākum): We established you, empowered you, and gave you authority and stability.
• مَعَايِشَ (ma‘āyish): Means of livelihood, provisions, and all that sustains life—food, drink, shelter, and resources.
• قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ (qalīlan mā tashkurūn): How little you give thanks—a phrase emphasizing the scarcity of gratitude despite abundant blessings.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O children of Adam, reflect on the immense favor of your Lord: He settled you upon the earth, made it a firm and stable dwelling place for you, and spread it out beneath your feet so that you might live upon it with ease. He did not leave you without provision—rather, He placed within the earth and its surroundings everything you need for survival and comfort: food, water, crops, livestock, and countless other resources that sustain your daily life. He granted you the ability to cultivate, build, and benefit from what He has created, making the earth subservient to you.

Yet, despite this overwhelming generosity, your gratitude is astonishingly little. You take these blessings for granted, rarely pausing to thank the One who provided them. You consume, you build, you prosper—but how often do you lift your hands in sincere praise to your Creator? How often do you use these blessings in ways that please Him? The verse gently rebukes this ingratitude, reminding us that even a fraction of the thanks we owe would be better than the neglect we often show.

This call is addressed to all of humanity, but especially to the people of Makkah, who witnessed the fertile lands stretching between their city and Yemen, and between Makkah and Syria—lands that provided them with trade, safety, and sustenance. It is a reminder that every breath you take, every meal you eat, and every step you walk upon this earth is a gift from Allah alone.

A Da‘wah Reflection:

Dear reader, pause for a moment and look around you. The ground beneath your feet, the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food on your table—all of it is a loan from your Lord, placed at your disposal out of His infinite mercy. He did not have to give you any of this, yet He did, without you even asking. The least you can do in return is to acknowledge His favor, thank Him with your heart, your tongue, and your actions, and use these blessings in ways that draw you closer to Him. Gratitude is not merely a word—it is a way of life. When you thank Allah, He promises to increase you in His bounty. So open your heart to Him, and let thankfulness become your constant companion. For indeed, the One who gave you everything deserves your praise, and His love for the grateful is beyond measure.