“Say, ‘Are there any of your partners who originates creation and then repeats it?’ Say, ‘Allah originates creation and then repeats it. So how are you turned away?’ (34)”

Allah, Most High, says: “Say, ‘Who provides for you from heaven and earth?’”—that is, from heaven through rain and from earth through vegetation—“Or who has power over hearing and sight?”—that is, by granting you hearing and sight—“Who brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living?” He brings forth the living from the sperm-drop, and the sperm-drop from the living. “And who governs all affairs?”—that is, who decrees all matters. “They will say, ‘Allah’”—He is the One who does these things. “So say, ‘Will you not then fear Him?’”—will you not fear His punishment for your polytheism? It is also said: Will you not shun polytheism in view of this acknowledgment?

“That is Allah, your true Lord”: the One who does these things is your Lord. “What is there beyond the truth except error? So how are you turned away?” That is, where are you being turned away from worshipping Him while you acknowledge Him?

“Thus”: al-Kalbi said, “That is how.” “Has been proven true”: that is, has become binding. “Your Lord’s word”: His prior decree. “Against those who defiantly disobey”: that is, those who disbelieve. “They will not believe.” Abu Ja‘far, Nafi‘, and Ibn ‘Amir recited “the words of your Lord” in the plural at both occurrences: here and in Surat al-Mu’min; the remaining reciters read it in the singular.

His saying: “Say, ‘Are there any of your partners’”—that is, your idols—“who originates creation?” That is, who brings creation into existence without any prior origin or model, “and then repeats it?” That is, who then brings it back to life after death in its former state. If they answer you, then so be it; otherwise, you yourself should say: “Allah originates creation and then repeats it. So how are you turned away?” That is, how are you diverted from the straight path?