goodness.⦗1⦘

The point, then, is that the Almighty has made the earth for us like a docile camel that goes wherever it is led.

Accordingly, it was eloquent to refer to its “shoulders” when speaking of its roads and passes, since it had just been described as compliant; whoever walks upon it treads on its shoulders, which are⦗2⦘ its highest parts. For that reason some exegetes interpreted the shoulders as the mountains, just as a person’s shoulders are the uppermost part of his body. They added that this intimates how much easier it is to walk across its plains. Another group maintained that the shoulders are its sides and outer regions, analogous to a human being’s flanks.

The view that appears strongest is that “shoulders” denotes the elevated parts, for the surface on which living creatures walk is the earth’s upper face, not the one opposite it. Since the surface of a sphere is its highest side and walking can only occur upon that surface, describing it as “shoulders” is apt after it was portrayed as yielding.

Next, He commanded them to eat of the provision He had placed within it: He subdued the earth for them, levelled it, cleft within it the pathways along which they travel, and stored in it their sustenance. Thus He mentioned the preparation of the dwelling so that its occupants might benefit from it—coming and going within it and eating from what has been deposited there for them.

Finally, by His words, “and to Him is the resurrection” (67:15), He alerts us that in this lodging we are neither settlers nor permanent residents; we have entered it as travellers passing through, so it is not fitting that we should make it