Transliteration:( Wallaahu akhrajakum mim butooni ummahaatikum laa ta'lamoona shai'anw wa ja'ala lakumus sam'a wal absaara wal af'idata la'allakum tashkuroon )
"And Allah has created you from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing [169], and gave you ears and eyes and a heart [170] so that you may be thankful [171]."
This refers to the general human condition—being born ignorant and dependent. However, this does not apply to the Prophets, especially Hazrat ‘Isa (peace be upon him), who spoke at birth:
"Verily, I am the servant of Allah" (Surah Maryam 19:30).
Prophets are born with divine knowledge, by Allah’s power. Hence, natural law should not be used to limit Divine will, because Allah is not bound by the laws He created.
Allah granted you:
Ears – first mentioned because revelation is received through hearing.
Eyes – to perceive and learn.
Heart – as the center of understanding and emotion.
These faculties are given so that one may escape ignorance and attain guidance. Notably, some Prophets were blind (e.g., Hazrat Yaqub), but none were deaf or dumb, because hearing is central to revelation.
The purpose of these divine gifts is that you may show gratitude—not merely in words but by:
Using each limb and sense for righteous purposes.
Avoiding disobedience through them.
Every organ has its own form of gratitude, e.g., the ears should hear truth, the eyes avoid haram, and the heart remain connected to Allah.
The tafsir of Surah An-Nahl verse 78 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Nahl ayat 77 which provides the complete commentary from verse 77 through 79.
(16:78) Allah has brought you forth from your mothers’ wombs when you knew nothing, and then gave you hearing, and sight and thinking hearts[72] so that you may give thanks.[73]
72. This is to remind them that when they were born they were more helpless and ignorant than the young one of an animal, but Allah gave them ears to hear, eyes to see and minds to think and reflect. These have enabled them to acquire every kind of information and knowledge to carry on their worldly affairs efficiently. So much so that these sensory faculties are the only means which help man attain so much progress as to rule over everything on the earth.
73. That is, you should be grateful to that Allah Who has bestowed upon you such blessings as these. It will be ingratitude on your part if you hear everything with your ears except the word of God, and see everything with your eyes except the signs of Allah and consider seriously about all the matters except your Benefactor Who has blessed you with these favors.
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