“Then He would drown you because of your disbelief, and you would find no one to pursue a claim against Us on your behalf.” That is, no helper or avenger. The word tabiʿ means a follower—namely, one who pursues a claim for vengeance. It was also said: one who reproaches Us.

Ibn Kathir and Abu Amr read the verbs “that We cause [the earth to swallow you],” “send,” “return you,” “send,” and “drown you” in the first-person plural, in view of the words “against Us.” The others read them in the third-person singular, in view of the words “except Him.” Abu Jafar and Yaqub read, “then it will drown you,” in the feminine form, referring to the wind.

“And We have certainly honored the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, provided them with wholesome things, and favored them greatly above many of those We created.” (70)

The Most High says, “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam.” It is narrated from Ibn Abbas that he said: This is because they eat with their hands, whereas non-human creatures eat from the ground with their mouths. It is also narrated from him that he said: by reason.

Al-Dahhak said: by speech. Ata said: by their upright stature and height, whereas beasts are bent over upon their faces. It was also said: by their fine form. It was said: men by their beards and women by their tresses. It was also said: because He subjected all other things to them. And it was said: because among them is the best community brought forth for mankind. (1)

“And We carried them on land and sea”: that is, We carried them on land upon riding animals and at sea upon ships.

“And We provided them with wholesome things”: that is, delicious foods and drinks. Muqatil said: fat, butter, dates, and sweets; whereas He made the sustenance of other creatures plainly evident.

“And We favored them greatly above many of those We created.” The apparent meaning of the verse is that He favored them above many of those whom He created, but not above all of them.

Some said: They were favored above all created beings except the angels.

Al-Kalbi said: They were favored above all creatures except a group of angels: Gabriel, Michael, Israfil, the Angel of Death, and those like them.

There is disagreement concerning whether angels are superior to human beings. Some said: Human beings were favored above all created beings, including all the angels. The word “many” may be used in the sense of “all,” as the Most High says: “Shall I tell you upon whom the devils descend?” until His saying, “And most of them are liars” (al-Shuara 221-222)—that is, all of them.