مَا قَطَعْتُم مِّن لِّينَةٍ أَوْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا قَائِمَةً عَلَى أُصُولِهَا فَبِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَلِيُخْزِيَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Whatever palm trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by Allah’s will and in order that He may disgrace the transgressors.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 59:5
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 59:5] Aqa Mahdi Puya says: As a military necessity, to put pressure on the rebellious transgressors and disgrace them, cutting of trees, not uprooting, was recommended. "By leave of Allah" implies that destruction or preservation of anything created is the sole prerogative of the creator Lord or of those whom He delegates His authority.