Fatir 35:12
Originator · Meccan · Juz 22 · Page 436
Two Seas
وَمَا يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡبَحۡرَانِ هَٰذَا عَذۡبࣱ فُرَاتࣱ سَآئِغࣱ شَرَابُهُۥ وَهَٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجࣱۖ وَمِن كُلࣲّ تَأۡكُلُونَ لَحۡمࣰا طَرِيࣰّا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةࣰ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ١٢
And the two seas are not alike: this, fresh, sweet, good to drink, this (other) bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. And thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
Not alike are the two seas: one fresh and sweet, the other salty and bitter; yet from each you eat tender meat.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, this hints by way of example at the difference between believer and disbeliever, or the lands of Islam and of disbelief.
Reflect
Strive to be of the sweet sea.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›