Surah Az-Zumar (39): 21

Know that when the Almighty described the Hereafter with attributes that necessitate great desire for it, He then described the world (Dunya) with an attribute that necessitates strong aversion from it.

1. The Descent of Water and its Flow: Allah sent down water from the sky (rain). It is also said that everything on earth originates from the sky. Then, Allah guides this water to certain places and distributes it, causing it to flow as springs (yanābī‘) within the earth—entering it and organizing it into channels and conduits, like veins in bodies.
2. The Growth of Diverse Crops: Through this water, He brings forth vegetation of various colors (green, red, yellow, white, etc.), or of different kinds (wheat, barley, sesame, etc.).
3. Withering and Decay: Then, the vegetation dries up (yahīj). This happens because once its moisture is gone, it can separate from its roots, even if its parts do not scatter. These parts seem to have become agitated, preparing to disperse.
4. Becoming Broken Rubble: Finally, it becomes dry, broken debris (ḥuṭāman).
5. The Lesson (Dhikrā): Indeed, in that is a reminder (dhikrā) for those with intellect (ulī al-albāb). Whoever observes these states in plants understands that the states of animals and humans are similar. No matter how long one lives, one must eventually reach a state of yellowing, with broken limbs and parts, culminating in death. Observing these changes in plants reminds a person of the inevitable changes in their own life, thus increasing their aversion to the world and its pleasures.

Summary of Purpose: In the preceding verses, Allah strengthened the desire for the Hereafter. In this verse, He strengthens the aversion to the Dunya. Describing the attributes of the Resurrection strengthens the desire for obedience to Allah, while describing the attributes of the Dunya strengthens the aversion to it. The desire for the Hereafter is mentioned first because it is the primary objective, whereas aversion to the Dunya is a secondary objective. The primary objective takes precedence over the secondary one. This concludes the explanation of the verse.

Linguistic Notes (Al-Wāḥidī):

• Al-Yanābī‘ is the plural of yanbū‘, which is a yaf‘ūl form derived from the root nabu‘a (to spring forth). Al-Kisā’ī and Al-Farrā’ mention three pronunciations for the verb: nabu‘a, yanbu‘u, and yanbi‘u.
• The word yanābī‘ is in the accusative case (naṣb) due to the omission of the preposition (ḥadhf al-khāfiḍ), as the implied meaning is: "He caused it to flow into springs" (fasalaka-hu fī yanābī‘).
• Yahīj means it turns yellow (grows dry).
• Al-Ḥuṭām is that which dries up, crumbles, and breaks from vegetation.

Is he who Allah has expanded his breast for Islam, so he is upon a light from his Lord, [like one who is not]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error.

Allah has sent down the best of narrations, a Book consistent in its themes, repeating [stories and injunctions] in pairs. The skins of those who fear their Lord tremble from it, then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah; He guides therewith whom He wills. And he whom Allah sends astray - for him there is no guide.

Is he then who shields his face from the severe punishment on the Day of Resurrection [like one who is not]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers, "Taste what you used to earn."

The people of Noah denied before them, and they denied Our Servant, and said, "A madman," and he was rebuked.

So We opened the gates of the heaven with pouring rain.

And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs, and the waters met for a matter already decreed.

And We carried him upon [the ark] of planks and nails.

Sailing before Our eyes, as a recompense for one who was rejected [by his people].

And We left it as a sign; so is there any who will remember?

Then how [severe] was My punishment and My warnings!

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy to understand for remembrance; so is there any who will remember?

'Ad denied the warnings.

Then how [severe] was My punishment and My warnings!

Indeed, We sent against them a furious wind on a day of continuous misfortune.

Tearing people away as if they were uprooted trunks of palm trees.

Then how [severe] was My punishment and My warnings!

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy to understand for remembrance; so is there any who will remember?

And We have certainly presented to the people in this Qur'an from every [kind of] example that perhaps they will be reminded.

[It is] an Arabic Qur'an, without any crookedness, that they may become righteous.