Surah Ash-Shu'araa: Verse 149 - وتنحتون من الجبال بيوتا فارهين... - English

Tafsir of Verse 149, Surah Ash-Shu'araa

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا فَٰرِهِينَ

English Translation

And you carve out of the mountains, homes, with skill.

English Transliteration

Watanhitoona mina aljibali buyootan fariheena

Tafsir of Verse 149

Will you still skilfully hew houses out of the mountains?

"And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.

Commentary

وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا فَارِ‌هِينَ ﴿149﴾And you hew out houses from the hills with pride. [ 149]

According to Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ ، the word فَارِ‌هِينَ (Farihin) means arrogant and conceited people. But Abu Salih and Imam Raghib have taken this word to mean experts. Therefore, the meaning of the verse is that Allah Ta’ ala has favoured you by teaching such skills that you could make houses by cutting hills. The essence of all this is that you should remember the bounties of Allah Ta’ ala and should not make mischief and trouble on earth.

Useful vocations are Divine Graces provided they are not employed in bad things

This verse indicates that nice vocations are Allah's Graces, and to draw benefit from them is lawful. But if they are used for some sinful purpose or in an unlawful act, or if someone gets involved in them with unnecessary concentration, then it is not lawful to adopt them. An example of unnecessary construction of tall buildings and its contempt has just been mentioned in the previous verses.

Verse 149 - Surah Ash-Shu'araa: (وتنحتون من الجبال بيوتا فارهين...) - English