the sky as rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness, and dispersing therein every kind of moving creature, and His directing of the winds and the clouds held between the sky and the earth are signs for a people who use reason. (164)” [Al-Baqarah: 164]

He thus mentions the creation of the heavens, with their sun, moon, and stars, and their movement in their orbits, through which night and day alternate. Their lengthening and shortening become apparent as each encroaches upon the other, taking from its span. Through these movements, the year is divided into seasons, and heat and cold succeed one another: one brings about the fertilization of trees, and the other the ripening of fruit.

Allah also mentions (the earth), which is the dwelling place of animals and other creatures, and within which lie the seas that gather the waters bearing ships and vessels. He mentions (the wind), which forms the clouds and carries them wherever they are permitted to rain, thereby reviving lands, crops, and livestock. By the wind, too, ships and vessels sail upon the seas. Through these things, people’s livelihoods flourish and their benefits multiply. Through their combination and mutual support, the world’s proper functioning is perfected and its order maintained. This is evidence that the Maker of the world is powerful, wise, knowledgeable, and fully aware.

These things are mentioned immediately after His words, Exalted is He:

“And your god is one God. There is no deity except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (163)” [Al-Baqarah: 163]

They serve to demonstrate the truth of what He has told us concerning His oneness—glorified is He—through the evidence He has shown us. He also mentions His mercy and compassion toward His creation. There are many ways of establishing the proof, but in this book we have presented those most readily understood.”

He went on to give the remainder of the discussion, which we have recorded in its proper place.