Surah Ya-Sin (36): Verse 42

Issues Discussed Here:

The phrase lahum (for them) has two possible interpretations:

1. It refers to their offspring (الذرية). This would mean: "We carried their offspring, and We created for those carried things to ride upon."
2. It refers to the servants/people (العباد) to whom the preceding verse, {And a sign for them is...} (36:41), referred. This is the more apparent meaning, as pronouns usually refer back to the same subject.

The word min (of/from) in {مِّن مِّثْلِهِ} (of the like thereof) has two possible grammatical roles:

1. Redundant/Expletive Particle (صلة): According to Al-Akhfash, it means "We created for them something like it." Sibawayh disagrees, stating that min is only expletive in negative contexts, such as {And no fatigue touches us} (Qaf 50:38).
2. Specifying/Clarifying Particle (مبينة): Similar to {He will forgive you of your sins} (Al-Ahqaf 46:31). Since the preceding phrase {We created for them} implies the creation of various things, min clarifies that the creation is like the previously mentioned thing (the Ark/Ship).

The pronoun in mithlihi (like it) primarily refers to the Ark/Ship (الفلك) mentioned previously, according to the majority opinion.

• This is analogous to {And others of its kind in form} (Sad 38:58).
• Under this interpretation, the intended meaning is the other type of vessel existing in their time (i.e., ships other than Noah's Ark). This is supported by the subsequent verse: {And if We willed, We could drown them} (36:43).
• If the meaning were camels (as some commentators suggest), then the phrase {And We created for them of the like thereof what they ride} would awkwardly separate two related statements (the Ark and the consequence of drowning).

Alternative Interpretation:

• The pronoun could refer to an unmentioned, known creation. This means: "We created for them of the like of what We mentioned of created things in {He created all kinds of things that the earth produces} (36:36)."

A Subtle Point (لطيفة):

There is a subtlety here: Everyone rides some form of animal transport (like camels), but not everyone rides ships.

• Regarding the Ark: {We carried their offspring} (referring to Noah's people).
• Regarding the creation of transport: This is general for all people.

The word mā yarkabūn (what they ride) has two interpretations:

1. It refers to the Ark (like Noah's Ark).
2. It refers to camels, which are the "ships of the land" (سفن البر).

If the intended meaning is Noah's Ark, the relevance of the context is that Allah reminds them of the fate of Noah's people: the deniers perished, and the believers succeeded. Similarly, if these people believe, they will succeed; if they deny, they will perish.

Surah Ya-Sin (36): Verse 43