Translation:
How many are the creatures that carry not their own 3492 sustenance? It is Allah who feeds (both) them and you: for He hears and knows (all things).
How many are the creatures that carry not their own 3492 sustenance? It is Allah who feeds (both) them and you: for He hears and knows (all things).
Translation:
And how many a living creature is there that takes no thought of its own sustenance; 54 [the while] God provides for it as [He provides] for you - since He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing.
And how many a living creature is there that takes no thought of its own sustenance; 54 [the while] God provides for it as [He provides] for you - since He alone is all-hearing, all-knowing.
Commentary:
54 Lit., "that does not bear [or "assume responsibility for"] its sustenance" - i.e., is either too weak to fend for itself or (according to Al-Hasan, as quoted by Zamakhshari) does not store up provisions for the morrow. This passage connects with the reference at the end of the preceding verse to "those who in their Sustainer place their trust".
54 Lit., "that does not bear [or "assume responsibility for"] its sustenance" - i.e., is either too weak to fend for itself or (according to Al-Hasan, as quoted by Zamakhshari) does not store up provisions for the morrow. This passage connects with the reference at the end of the preceding verse to "those who in their Sustainer place their trust".
3492 If we look at the animal creation, we see that many creatures seem almost helpless to find their own food or sustain their full life, being surrounded by many enemies. Yet in the Plan of Allah they find full sustenance and protection. So does man. Man's needs—as well as helplessness—are by many degrees greater. Yet Allah provides for him as for all His creatures. Allah listens to the wish and cry of all His creatures and He knows their needs and how to provide for them all. Man should not therefore hesitate to suffer exile or persecution in Allah's Cause.