Surah Al-A'raf 7:10
سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ · Meccan · Verse 10 of 206
وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Translation
We established you [people] on the earth and provided you with a means of livelihood there––small thanks you give!
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Qur'anic Worlds
This beautiful verse (Ayah) from Surah Al-A'raf, where Allah directly addresses all of humanity, serves as a profound reminder of our place in the universe and the countless blessings bestowed upon us. The tone is one of gentle rebuke, yet profound mercy, as Allah calls us to reflect on His continuous favor.
Our Home on Earth
Allah states, "And We have certainly established you in the earth" (وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ). The word "established" or *makkanakum* here implies that Allah has made the earth a stable place, a home for us, giving us dominion and the ability to settle and thrive. As scholars like al-Tabari explain, this means Allah made the earth a firm foundation, a resting place where we can reside. Sayyid Qutb beautifully expands on this, highlighting how the earth's very composition, its size, its precise distance from the sun and moon, its rotation, and even its tilt, are all perfectly designed to nurture human life and development. It's as if Allah built a perfect cradle for humanity, ensuring its stability and suitability for our existence. This verse invites us to ponder the "World of Creation," looking at the intricate design of our planet as a testament to Allah's care.
Provisions for Life
Following this, Allah says, "and made for you therein livelihoods" (وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَٰيِشَ). *Ma'ayish*, or livelihoods, refers to all the means by which we sustain our lives: food, drink, trade, and all forms of earnings and sustenance. Al-Baghawi and al-Razi both emphasize that these are the ways we live out our days. Ibn Kathir notes that Allah made the earth a source of abundant provision, enabling us to engage in various endeavors to earn our living. Sayyid Qutb adds that Allah embedded countless treasures and resources within the earth, making it a place where humans can grow, develop, and utilize their intellectual capacities to harness these forces for their benefit. Mufti Shafi describes the earth as a "giant warehouse" of human needs, with science and technology merely being tools to unlock these divinely placed provisions. This reminds us that every breath, every meal, every comfort we experience is a direct provision from our Creator.
A Call to Gratitude
Yet, despite these immense blessings, the ayah concludes with a poignant observation: "little you are grateful" (قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ). This is a gentle but firm complaint from Allah. He has given us a habitable home, filled it with sustenance, and equipped us with the intelligence to benefit from it all, yet our gratitude is often lacking. Al-Razi explains that while all people may show *some* gratitude, many fall short of the profound thankfulness that these blessings deserve. Mufti Shafi notes this as a pivot, encouraging people to accept the truth and act righteously in response to Allah's boundless generosity. This final phrase is a call to awaken our hearts to the sheer volume of blessings surrounding us and to cultivate a deep sense of thankfulness in every moment of our lives.
Sources: Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-A'raf 7:10 is discussed in 10 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-A'raf 7:10 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.