Transliteration:( Wa maa min daaabbatin fil ardi illaa 'alal laahi rizquhaa wa ya'lamu mustaqarrahaa wa mustawda'ahaa; kullun fee Kitaabim Mubeen )
"And there is no creature on earth [13] whose provision is not upon Allah [14]. He knows its dwelling place and its storage place [15]. All is recorded in a clear book [16]."
The verse mentions creatures on earth because they are visible to us. However, the sustenance of all beings, including Jinns, Angels, and others, is also provided by Allah Almighty. His attribute of being Provident extends to all creatures, not limited to animals alone. He provides sustenance to different beings according to their unique needs. For example, the sustenance for a child in the mother’s womb differs from that after birth and changes as the child grows. Thus, sustenance is provided according to one's stage of life.
From this, we learn that it is foolish for humans to forget the Hereafter while searching for worldly sustenance. Allah Almighty has promised sustenance but not forgiveness. Allah says, "He will forgive whom He pleases," which shows that humans should be mindful of their safety in the Hereafter. We seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness and pray for His guidance in this matter.
Allah Almighty knows where every creature will live, where it will be stored, where it will be after death, and how long it will be in the mother’s womb. This includes knowledge of a person’s status in the world of souls and on the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Covenant, souls were divided into four ranks: the Prophets in the first rank, the friends of Allah in the second, believers in the third, and the infidels and hypocrites in the fourth. (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan)
It is important to remember that the writing of everything on the Divine Tablet is not because Allah Almighty fears forgetting but to allow His beloved servants, who have the ability to cast their gaze upon it, to become aware of what is recorded there. Everything is inscribed on this Tablet, and those who can perceive it have complete knowledge of it. The Divine Tablet is referred to as illuminating and clear because it reveals the knowledge of the unseen to Allah’s special servants.
6. And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit. All is in a Clear Book.
Allah, the Exalted, informs that He is responsible for the provisions of all the creatures that dwell in the earth, whether they are small, large, sea-dwelling or land-dwelling. He knows their place of dwelling and their place of deposit. This means that He knows where their journeying will end in the earth and where they will seek shelter when they wish to nest. This place of nesting is also considered their place of deposit. `Ali bin Abi Talhah and others reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said concerning the statement,
(And He knows its dwelling place) that it means where it resides. In reference to the statement,
(and its deposit.) he (Ibn `Abbas) said it means where it will die. Allah informs us that all of this is written in a Book with Allah that explains it in detail. This is similar to Allah’s statement,
(There is not a moving creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.) ﴿6:38﴾, and
(And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that is hidden and unseen), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.) ﴿6:59﴾
(11:6) There is not a single moving creature on the earth but Allah is responsible for providing its sustenance. He knows where it dwells and where it will permanently rest.[6] All this is recorded in a clear Book.
6. That is, it is foolish on your part to deceive yourselves that you can escape punishment by hiding yourselves from Allah Who has full and perfect knowledge of everything. Who knows the nest where the tiniest sparrow lives and the hole where the smallest insect resides, and provides their sustenance to them wherever they be. Who knows the dwelling place and the final resting place of every creature and gives life and death to them at the appointed time. Do you think that by hiding yourselves from His messenger, you can also hide yourselves from the All-Knowing Sovereign Who has sent him? Do you think that Allah does not see His messenger doing his very best to convey His message to you and you are trying to turn a deaf ear to it?
[548]- Before birth and after death.
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