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wa-ʾinna lakum fī l-ʾanʿāmi la-ʿibratan nusqīkum mimmā fī buṭūnihā wa-lakum fīhā manāfiʿu kathīratun wa-minhā taʾkulūna
There is indeed a moral for you in the cattle: We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and you have many uses in them, and you eat some of them,
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Mu’minun - Verses 21-22
21. “And verily there is a lesson for you in the cattle. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and you have many benefits in them, and of them you eat.”
22. “And on them, and on the ships, advantages you are carried.”
Quadrupeds are created for the use of man. They provide us with milk, meat, and transport. These benefits, which are a part of their effects, also encourage the development of dairy, leather, meat, weaving industries and also providing job opportunities for millions of people. Thus, after mentioning the blessing of plants that grow because of the beneficial rain, Allah turns our attention to the animals that thrive because they feed on these plants as an important part of His blessings and favours to man, where it says:
“And verily there is a lesson for you in the cattle...”
Then the Holy Qur’an explains this sentence, where it says:
“...We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies...”
Yes, refreshing milk! This perfect and strengthening food is produced from the body of an animal from its blood and the like. It is truly amazing how Allah could produce such a pleasant and wholesome drink from such a thing. But the lesson and blessings of animals are not solely confined to milk, they have other benefits for human beings as well:
“...and you have many benefits in them, and of them you eat.”
In addition to meat, which, as a source of protein, is a major source of nutrition necessary for the body when used in moderation, animals also produce leather, which is used for making different kinds of garments and durable materials. Various types of clothing, carpets and covers are made from wool. Some of the limbs of animals are sometimes used to make medicines. Even their feces are used to make fertilizers for trees and are important in farming.
In the next verse, animals are introduced as easy-paced vehicles of man for traveling on land just as ships are used for traveling on the sea. The verse says:
“And on them, and on the ships, advantages you are carried.”
These are all the benefits and advantages of animals that accrue to man which are indeed a lesson for him to take heed. They make us become familiar with the Creator of all these blessings and encourage within us the sense of gratitude towards Him. However, why did Allah put animals and ships on the same level? If we study this matter carefully its answer is clear: Man needs vehicles to travel everywhere on the earth. Beside those vehicles for land, Allah also mentions marine vehicles or ships. In actual fact, this sentence is like what was said about the blessings of the children of Adam in verse seven of Sura ’Isra’:
“...We carried them on the land and the sea...”
Therefore, we must not trifle with the role of ships in transportation.
“...and on the ships you are carried”.
Some Traditions Upon Milk
1. The holy Prophet (S) said:
“Verily Allah did not appoint any sickness but he appointed a healing for it. Then behold of the milk of cow which is better than any tree.” 104
2. The holy Prophet (S) said:
“Behold of the milk of cow which is better than any tree, and it is the healing of every sickness.” 105
3. The holy Prophet said:
“Behold of the milk of cow since verily it is a medicine and its oil is a healing, and avoid of its meat since it is sickness.” 106
4. Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Ali (as) said:
“The pap of milk (made of ground rice, milk and sugar) is a healing for every sickness save death.” 107
5. ’Isma’il-ibn-Muslim narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) who said:
“The Messenger of Allah (S) prohibited mixing water with milk when selling it.” 108
Footnotes