Al-Qur'an Surah Al-An'am Verse 99

Mufti Taqi Usmani

He is the One who sent down water from the heavens. Then We brought forth with it vegetation of all kinds. Then from it We brought grains set upon one another. From the palm-trees, from their spathes, come forth the low hanging bunches. (We produce) vineyards and the olive and the pomegranate, either similar or not similar to each other. Look at its fruit when it bears fruit, and at its ripening. Surely, in all this there are signs for the people who believe.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky—causing all kinds of plants to grow—producing green stalks from which We bring forth clustered grain. And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach. ˹There are˺ also gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates, similar ˹in shape˺ but dissimilar ˹in taste˺. Look at their fruit as it yields and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for people who believe.

Ruwwad Translation Center

It is He Who sends down water from the sky and We produce thereby every kind of plants. We produce from it greenery from which We bring forth clustered grains. From the spathes of palm trees emerging clusters of dates hanging within reach. And gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates – similar [in shape] yet different [in taste]. Look at their fruit when they bear fruit and ripen. Indeed, there are signs in these for people who believe.

A. J. Arberry

It is He who sent down out of heaven water, and thereby We have brought forth the shoot of every plant, and then We have brought forth the green leaf of it, bringing forth from it close-compounded grain, and out of the palm-tree, from the spathe of it, dates thick-lustered, ready to the hand, and gardens of vines, olives, pomegranates, like each to each, and each unlike to each. Look upon their fruits when they fructify and ripen! Surely, in all this are signs for a people who do believe.

Abdul Haleem

It is He who sends down water from the sky. With it We produce the shoots of each plant, then bring greenery from it, and from that We bring out grains, one riding on the other in close-packed rows. From the date palm come clusters of low-hanging dates, and there are gardens of vines, olives, and pomegranates, alike yet different. Watch their fruits as they grow and ripen! In all this there are signs for those who would believe.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And it is He who hath sent down rain from heaven and We have thereby brought forth growth of every kind, and thereout We have brought forth green stalks from which We bring forth close-growing seed- grain. And from the date-stone: from the spathe thereof come forth clusters of dates lowhanging; and gardens of grapes, and the olive, and the pomegranate, like unto one anot her and unlike. Look at the fruit thereof when it fruiteth and the reforming thereof. Verily therein are signs unto a people who believe.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It is He Who sendeth down rain from the skies; with it We produce vegetation of all kinds; from some We produce green (crops), out of which We produce grain, heaped up (at harvest); out of the date-palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging low and near; and (then there are) gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety); when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and the ripeness thereof. Behold! in these things there are signs for people who believe.

Abul Ala Maududi

And it is He Who has sent down water from the heavens, and thereby We have brought vegetation of every kind, and out of this We have brought forth green foliage and then from it close-packed ears of corn, and out of the palm-tree from the sheath of it - thick clustered dates, hanging down with heaviness, and gardens of vines, and the olive tree, and the pomegranate - all resembling one another and yet so different. Behold their fruit when they bear fruit and ripen! Surely, in all this there are signs for those who believe.

Ahmed Ali

It is He who sends down water from the skies, and brings out of it everything that grows, the green foliage, the grain lying close, the date palm trees with clusters of dates, and the gardens of grapes, and of olives and pomegranates, so similar yet so unlike. Look at the fruits, how they appear on the trees, and they ripen. In all these are signs for those who believe.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And it is He Who sends down water from the sky; so with it We produced all things that grow; hence We produce from it vegetation from which We bring forth grains in clusters; and from the pollen of dates, dense bunches – and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, similar in some ways and unlike in some; look at its fruit when it bears yield, and its ripening; indeed in it are signs for the people who believe.

Ali Quli Qarai

It is He who sends down water from the sky, and brings forth with it every kind of growing thing. Then from it We bring forth vegetation from which We produce the grain, in clusters, and from the palm-tree, from the spathes of it, low-hanging clusters [of dates], and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Look at its fruit as it fructifies and ripens. Indeed, there are signs in that for a people who have faith.

Ali Ünal

He it is Who sends down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth vegetation of every kind (from their seeds under the soil), and then from it We bring forth a lively shoot, from which We bring forth close-packed and compounded ears of grain, and from the palm-tree – from the spathe of it – dates thick-clustered hanging (ready to the hand), and gardens of vines, and the olive tree, and the pomegranate: alike (in the fundamentals of life and growth) and diverse (in structure, look, taste, and smell). Look at their fruit, when they begin to fruit and as they ripen. Surely in that there are signs for people who will believe and who will deepen in faith (as they see new signs).

Amatul Rahman Omar

It is We Who pour down water from the clouds and then We bring forth every kind of vegetation, then We bring forth therefrom green foliage from which We produce clustered grain. And (We bring forth) from the date-palm out of its spathes bunches (of dates) hanging low and (We bring forth) gardens of vines and olives and pomegranate - similar (in kind) yet dissimilar (from one another in variety). Look at them when they bear fruit and look also how they ripen. Verily, in all this there are signs for a people who would believe.

English Literal

And He is who descended from the sky water, so We brought out/made emerge with it every thing`s plant, so We brought out/made emerge from it green, We bring out/make emerge from it seeds/grains overlapping ,and from the palm trees from its first fruit of the season/cover enveloping the fertilizing seed, near branches with87bunches of dates , and treed gardens from grapes, and the olives, and the pomegranate, similar/resembling and not similar/resembling , look/consider to its fruit if/where/when it bears/yields fruit , and its ripeness/darkness, that in that (are) evidences/verses (E) to a nation believing.

Faridul Haque

And it is He Who sends down water from the sky; so with it We produced all things that grow; hence We produce from it vegetation from which We bring forth grains in clusters; and from the pollen of dates, dense bunches - and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, similar in some ways and unlike in some; look at its fruit when it bears yield, and its ripening; indeed in it are signs for the people who believe.

Hamid S. Aziz

He it is who sends down rain from the heavens; and We bring forth therewith growths of all kinds; and We bring forth there from green crops, from which We bring forth grain in full ear; and the palm, from its sheathes come clusters of dates within reach; and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; - behold its fruit when it fruits and ripens! Verily, in that you have a sign for the people who believe.

Hilali & Khan

It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And He it is Who has brought you into being from a single soul, then there is (for you) a resting-place and a repository. Indeed We have made plain the signs for a people who understand.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then We bring forth from it green (foliage) from which We produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith We bring forth buds of every kind; We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, alike and unlike. Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who believe.

Muhammad Sarwar

It is He who has sent water down from the sky to let all kinds of plants grow; the vegetables with accumulated grains; palm-trees from which appear clusters of dates within easy reach; vineyards, olive groves, and pomegranates of all types. See the fruits when they are growing and when they are ripe. This, too, is evidence (of the existence of God) for those who believe.

Qaribullah & Darwish

He sends down water from the sky, and with it We bring forth the plant of every thing. From these We bring forth green foliage and composite grain, palmtrees laden with clusters of dates within reach, vineyards and olive groves and pomegranates alike and unlike. Behold their fruits when they bear fruit and ripen. Surely, in these there are signs for a nation who believe.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

It is He Who sends down water from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its sprouts come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar, yet different. Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and Yan`ih. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe.) Allah said,

Wahiduddin Khan

It is He who sends down water from the sky. With it We produce vegetation of all kinds; out of green foliage, We produce clustered grain; and from the date-palm, out of its sheath, We produce bunches of dates hanging low. We produce vineyards and olive groves and pomegranates, alike yet different. Look at their fruit as He causes it to grow and ripen. In this are signs for people who believe.

Talal Itani

And it is He who sends down water from the sky. With it We produce vegetation of all kinds, from which We bring greenery, from which We produce grains in clusters. And palm-trees with hanging clusters, and vineyards, and olives, and pomegranates—similar and dissimilar. Watch their fruits as they grow and ripen. Surely in this are signs for people who believe.

Tafsir jalalayn

And He it is Who sent down water from the heaven and therewith, with the water, We bring forth (there is a shift away from the third [to the second person in this address]) plants of every kind, that produces shoots, and therefrom, from the shoots, We bring forth, some, verdure, meaning `the greens' [in other words, vegetation], bringing forth from it, from the verdure, thick-clustered grain, in dense clusters -- such as the spikes of wheat and the like -- and from the palm-tree (wa-mina'l-nakhli is the predicate, and is substituted by [the following, min tal`ih, `from its pollen']) from its pollen -- that which is the first to be produced by it -- spring bunches of dates (qinwnun is the subject of the sentence), stalks with date clusters, bunched up, one near the other, and, We bring forth from it, gardens, orchards, of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, the leaves of both [of these] being, similar (mushtabihan is a circumstantial qualifier), but, the fruits of which are, not alike. Look, O you addressed, in reflection, upon their fruits (read thamarihi or thumurihi, the plural of thamara, like shajara, `tree', [as plural of] shajar, and khashaba, `[a piece of] wood', for khashab) when they have borne fruit, when this first begins, how it looks, and, [look] upon, their ripening, after they have reached full growth, and the state to which they return. Surely, in all that are signs, proofs of His power, exalted be He, to resurrect and to do all other things, for a people who believe; it is these [people] that are specifically mentioned because they are the ones to profit from those [signs] by their believing in them, in contrast to the disbelievers.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

وَهُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء

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 شَيْءٍ

And with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds,

is similar to,

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَأءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ

And We have made from water every living thing. (21;30)

فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا

and out of it We bring forth green stalks,

green produce and trees, on which We grow seeds and fruits.

نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا

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 قِنْوَانٌ

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,

قِنْوَانٌ 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

وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ

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 مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ

olives and pomegranates, each similar yet different.

According to the explanation of Qatadah and several others,

The leaves are similar in shape and appearance, yet different in the shape, and taste. And the kind of fruit each plant produces is different.

Allah's statement,

انظُرُواْ إِلِى ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ

Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and Yan`ih.

According to Al-Bara bin Azib, Ibn Abbas, Ad-Dahhak, Ata Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi, Qatadah and others,

means, when the fruits become ripe.

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 بِمَأءٍ وَحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِى الاٍّكُلِ

And in the earth are neighboring 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 فِي ذَلِكُمْ

In these things there are... (O people),

لاايَاتٍ

signs...

and proofs that testify to the perfect ability, wisdom and mercy of He Who created these things,

لِّقَوْمٍ يُوْمِنُونَ



for people who believe.

in Allah and obey His Messengers