grammatical particles. The knowledge with which Allah threatened them is knowledge of absolute certainty, which they will witness exactly as they had been told.

Allah then explained His blessings upon His servants in order to impress these blessings upon them and thus oblige them to give thanks for them. He said:

“Have We not made the earth a resting place?”

That is, Allah made the earth a resting place, prepared for His creatures. It is neither so hard that they can plow it only with difficulty, or even walk upon it only with difficulty, nor so soft and yielding that they cannot benefit from it or settle upon it. Rather, it has been prepared for them in accordance with their needs and the uses they derive from it.

“And the mountains as stakes.”

That is, Allah Most High made them stakes for the earth, like the stake of a tent that holds it firm so that it remains secure. The mountains themselves are also firmly set, as Allah Most High says, “He placed firm mountains upon it and blessed it” [Fussilat: 10]. Earth scientists have said that these mountains have roots deeply embedded in the earth, just as a peg is embedded in a wall or a tent peg in the ground. This is why you find them solid and strong, unmoved by the winds. This forms part of the perfection of His power and His blessing.

“And created you in pairs.”

That is, in various kinds: male and female, young and old, black and red, wretched and blessed, and all the other respects in which people differ. Thus, they form differing pairs according to what Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has willed and His wisdom has required, so that people may reflect upon the power of Allah Most High: He is able to fashion these human beings—created from a single substance and a single father—into such diverse and contrasting kinds.

“And made your sleep a means of rest.”

That is, something that brings fatigue to an end. Sleep cuts off the weariness that preceded it and renews a person’s energy for what lies ahead. Thus, when a person becomes tired and then sleeps, he rests and his energy is renewed. This is a blessing and also one of Allah’s signs, as Allah Most High says, “And among His signs are your sleep by night and day and your seeking of His bounty” [al-Rūm: 23].

“And made the night a covering.”

That is, Allah made the night over the earth like a garment, as though the earth wears it and it serves as a cloak for it,