Allah's Signs and Blessings in the Rain, Vegetation, Trees and Cattle
Allah mentions His innumerable blessings to His servants,
وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء بِقَدَرٍ
And We sent down from the sky water in measure,
meaning, according to what is needed, not so much that it damages the lands and buildings, and not so little to be insufficient for crops and fruits, but whatever is needed for irrigation, drinking and other benefits. If there is a land that needs a lot of water for its irrigation but its fertile soil would be carried away if rain fell on it, then Allah sends water to it from another land, as in the case of Egypt, which is said to be a barren land. Allah sends the water of the Nile to it, which brings red soil from Ethiopia when it rains there. The water brings the red soil which is used to irrigate the land of Egypt, and whatever of it is deposited is used for agriculture, because the land of Egypt is infertile, and most of it is sand. Glory be to the Subtle One, the All-Knowing, the Most Merciful, the Forgiving.
فَأَسْكَنَّاهُ فِي الاْأَرْضِ
and We gave it lodging in the earth,
means, `when the water comes down from the clouds, We cause it to settle in the earth, and We cause the earth to absorb it and the seeds etc. in the earth to be nourished by it.'
وَإِنَّا عَلَى ذَهَابٍ بِهِ لَقَادِرُونَ
and verily, We are able to take it away.
means,
`if We wanted to cause it not to rain, We could do so;
if We wanted to divert it towards the wilderness and wastelands, We could do so;
if We wanted to make it salty so that you could not benefit from it for drinking or irrigation, We could do so;
if We wanted to cause it not to be absorbed by the earth, but to remain on the surface, We could do so;
if We wanted to make it go deep underground where you would not be able to reach it and you could not benefit from it, We could do so.'
But by His grace and mercy, He causes sweet, fresh water to fall on you from the clouds, then it settles in the earth and forms springs and rivers, and you use it to irrigate your crops and fruits, and you drink it and give it to your livestock and cattle, and you bathe and purify yourselves with it. To Him is due the praise and thanks.