36. Sura YaSin

(O Thou Human Being) Mecca 41

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَإِن كُلٌّ لَّمَّا جَمِيعٌ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ ﴿٣٢﴾

36: 32.  But each one of them all -- will be brought before Us (for judgment).

وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّاتٍ مِن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ...    

36: 34.  And We produce therein orchards with date-palms and Vines,

C3978. Date-palms and vines stand as symbols for fruit-trees of all kinds, these being the characteristic fruits of Arabia. Grain was mentioned in the last verse; fruit is mentioned now.

All that is necessary for food and the satisfaction of the choicest palate is produced from what looks like inert soil, fertilised by rain and springs.

Here is wonderful evidence of the artistry and providence of Allah.

... وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنْ الْعُيُونِ ﴿٣٤﴾

and We cause springs to gush forth therein.

لِيَأْكُلُوا مِن ثَمَرِهِ ...   

36: 35.  That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry):

C3979. Literally, eat (akala). Cf. 7:19, n. 1004 and 5:66, n. 776.

The same wide meaning of profit, satisfaction, and enjoyment may be attached to the word "eat" in verse 33 above.

... وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ...

it was not their hands that made this:

C3980. Man may till the soil and sow the seed, but the productive forces of nature were not made by man's hands. They are the handiwork and artistry of Allah, and are evidence of Allah's providence for His creatures.

See n. 3978 above.

... أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾

will they not then give thanks?

Asad’s Version:

(36:32) and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned?

And [yet,] they have a sign [of Our power to create and to resurrect] in the lifeless earth which We make alive, and out of which We bring forth grain, whereof they may eat;

(36:34) and [how] We make gardens of date-palms and vines [grow] thereon, and cause springs to gush [forth] within it,

(36:35) so that they may eat of the fruit thereof, though it was not their hands that made it. Will they not, then, be grateful?