Surah An-Nahl
Chapter 16 · Verse 9 · Revealed in Makkah
“And upon Allah is the direction of the [right] way, and among the various paths are those deviating. And if He willed, He could have guided you all.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Explanation of the Different Religious Paths
When Allah mentioned the animals which may be used for the purpose of physical journeys, He also referred to the moral, religious routes that people may follow. Often in the Qur'an there is a shift from physical or tangible things to beneficial spiritual and religious matters, as when Allah says,
وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَى
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
Commentary
Presented in the previous verses was a description of the great blessings of Allah Ta` ala as rational proof of His Oneness. This description of Divine blessings continues later on as well.
What does this verse bring up for you today?