سخّر
Sakhkhara
To make something subservient to human beings by God’s command, so that they may use it with gratitude.
What it means
The verb sakhkhara means to put something at the service of another and to bend it to a use. In the Quran it is God who does this: “He has made subservient to you what is in the heavens and on the earth” (45:13). The idea carries two points. The world is created fit for human use, and human beings, who did not make it, owe thanks to the One who did. Muslim thinkers have taken the idea to support inquiry into nature, and also trusteeship, since what is placed at one’s service is a trust and not unlimited property.
Often misunderstood as
Rendering the verb as “to subdue” or “to conquer” suggests human mastery by force, whereas the Quran says that God, and not man, makes things serve.
What the sources say
The verb is also used in the invocation said on mounting a ride, “Glory to Him who has made this subservient to us” (43:13), which reminds the traveller that the animal or vehicle is a favour from God.
Term and Arabic as listed in Ismail al Faruqi, Toward Islamic English (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 1995), p. 34, listed as SAKHKHARA. The definition is restated here.