16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَالْخَيْلَ
وَالْبِغَالَ
وَالْحَمِيرَ
لِتَرْكَبُوهَا
وَزِينَةً...
16: 8. And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show;
C2027. Horse, mules, and donkeys as well as other animals may be beasts of burden, but they may also be pedigree animals bred for beauty and for all those more refined uses, such as processions, in which grace and elegance is the predominant feature.
... وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٨﴾
and He has created (other) things of what ye have no knowledge.
C2028. If we examine the history of transport, there have been vast changes through the ages, from rude pack animals to fine equipages, and then through mechanical contrivances, such means of transport as elegant coaches, tramways and railways, useful motor lorries and Rolls-Royce cars, and air-ships and aeroplanes of all descriptions.
At any given point of time, many of these were yet unknown to man. Nor can we suppose the limit to have been reached now or that it will ever be reached at any future time.
Through the mind and ingenuity of man it is Allah that creates new things hitherto unknown to man.
16: 8
Asad And [it is He who creates] horses and mules and assets for you to ride, as well as for beauty: and He will yet create things of which [today] you have no knowledge.
Pickthall And horses and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them, and for ornament. And He createth that which ye know not.
Transliteration Wal khaila wal biga_la wal hamira litarkabu_ha_ wa zinah(tan), wa yakhluqu ma_ la_ ta'lamu_n(a).
[Asad note 6: The use, in this context, of the aorist yakhluqu implies the future tense [“He will create”] in contrast with the past tense khalaqa ………]
[ Ruby’s note: Could it be indication of future mode of transportation because the main idea is about transportation through animals….]