Tafsir of Al-Waqi'ah 56:68

Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Event)

Verse 68:

He singled out water for mention because it is the most delicate and pure (substance), or as a reminder of His favors upon them.

The Cloud (Al-Muzn):

The term Al-Muzn (السحاب الثقيل بالماء) refers to the heavy clouds carrying water, not other types of torment. This indicates the weightiness of the word itself, and the necessity of warding off (the rain/burden). In some dialects, it is used for clouds that have touched the earth.

We have previously explained that Al-Ujaj (الأجاج) is the intensely salty water. It appears that this (the second type of water mentioned later, implied by context) is the hot water, like Al-Hutam (الحطام) derived from Al-Hatim (الحطيم—that which breaks). We mentioned this in the verse: {This is sweet, refreshing, and this is salty, bitter} (Al-Furqan: 53).

Regarding the good water (sweet water), two attributes were mentioned: one relating to its taste, and the other to the quality of its feel—namely, its coolness and delicacy.

Regarding the other water (salty water), two attributes were also mentioned: one relating to its taste, and the other to the quality of its feel—namely, its heat.

The Command to Give Thanks:

Then the Almighty said: {فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ} (Then why do you not give thanks?).

He did not say "give thanks" when mentioning the food for two reasons:

1. He did not mention their act of eating the food (as He did not say ta'kulūn—you eat), so He did not say tashkurūn (you give thanks). However, concerning water, He said tashrabūn (you drink), and then said {tashkurūn}.
2. Concerning the food, He said: {أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ} (Have you caused its tree to grow, or are We the growers?). He affirmed their effort (sa'y—striving) in cultivation, so He did not say "give thanks." But concerning the water, He said: {أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ} (Have you sent it down from the clouds, or are We the senders?). Since there is absolutely no action on their part regarding its descent, it is purely a grace, so He said: {فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ}.

There is a third reason, which is the most excellent: Gratitude is only perfected when both eating and drinking are complete. Do you not see that in barren lands where water is unavailable, a person will not eat anything for fear of thirst? Since He mentioned the food first and completed it by mentioning the drink second, He said: {فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ} for this complete blessing.

Verse 69:

Verse 70: