Mujahid said: “They are like the children of Adam: their righteous and their wicked alike, though their father is one.” (1)

Al-Hasan said: “This is a parable that Allah, Most High, has set forth concerning the hearts of the children of Adam. The earth was a single mass of clay in the hand of the Most Merciful, exalted is He, and He spread it out, whereupon it became adjoining tracts. Then He sends down rain upon them from the sky, and one tract brings forth its blossoms, trees, fruits, and vegetation, while another brings forth its saline soil, salt, and noxious growth. Yet all are watered by one water. Likewise, people were created from Adam, peace be upon him; then He sends down from heaven a reminder, and some hearts soften and become humble, while other hearts harden and are distracted.”

Al-Hasan said: “By Allah, no one keeps company with the Quran except that he leaves it with either an increase or a decrease.” Allah, Most High, says:

“We send down in the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it increases the wrongdoers only in loss.” (al-Isra, 82). (4)

“Indeed, in that”—in what I have mentioned—“are signs for a people who understand.”

“And if you are astonished, then astonishing indeed is their saying: ‘When we have become dust, shall we indeed be in a new creation?’ Those are the ones who have disbelieved in their Lord; those will have shackles around their necks; and those are the companions of the Fire, abiding therein forever.” (5)

“And if you are astonished, then astonishing indeed is their saying.” Astonishment is the change that comes over the soul upon seeing something ordinarily deemed unlikely. The address is directed to the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him. Its meaning is: if you are astonished at their denial of the Resurrection while they acknowledge that Allah, exalted is He, originated creation, then astonishing indeed is their affair. (5)

The polytheists denied the Resurrection, despite acknowledging that Allah, Most High, originated creation. Yet it is established in people’s hearts that restoration is easier than initial creation; this, then, is the point of astonishment.