“Children,” because the Arabs may refer to a plural by using the singular form. It was also said that it is treated like a verbal noun, as in ʿadl (justice) and zūr (falsehood). “Then [We bring you forth] so that you may reach your full strength,” meaning maturity and vigor.

“And among you are those who die” before reaching old age, “and among you are those who are returned to the most decrepit stage of life,” that is, senility and mental decline, “so that, after having known, they know nothing”—that is, they reach an age at which their minds deteriorate, so that they understand nothing.

He then mentioned another proof of the Resurrection, saying: “And you see the earth lifeless,” that is, dry, with no vegetation in it. “But when We send down water upon it”—that is, rain—“it stirs,” moving with vegetation; for the earth rises with the vegetation, and this is its movement, “and swells,” that is, rises and increases. It was also said that there is an inversion in the order, its meaning being: it swells, stirs, and its vegetation grows. The possessive term is omitted, and stirring is more apparent in the vegetation. Thus it is said, “The vegetation stirs,” meaning that it has grown tall. The verb is made feminine only because the earth is mentioned. Abu Jafar recited: “and swells,” with a hamzah; likewise in Ha-Mim al-Sajdah, meaning: it rose and became elevated.

“And it produces every kind of beautiful growth,” that is, every fine variety that delights whoever sees it—that is, pleases him. This is another proof of the Resurrection.