“Have you not seen that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth, and the ships that sail through the sea by His command? He holds back the sky from falling upon the earth except by His permission. Indeed, Allah is surely Most Kind and Most Merciful to people. (65) And He is the One who gave you life, then causes you to die, then will bring you to life again. Indeed, man is utterly ungrateful. (66) For every community We have appointed rites which they observe. So let them not dispute with you concerning this matter; rather, call to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance. (67)”

“To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth,” as servants and possessions. “Indeed, Allah alone is the Self-Sufficient,” needing none of His servants, “the Praiseworthy” in His actions.

“Have you not seen that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth, and the ships”—that is, He has also subjected the ships to you—“sailing through the sea by His command.” 29/A It is also said that “whatever is on the earth” refers to the animals ridden on land, while “the ships” are ridden at sea. “And He holds back the sky from falling upon the earth,” meaning, so that it does not fall upon the earth, “except by His permission. Indeed, Allah is surely Most Kind and Most Merciful to people.”

“And He is the One who gave you life,” that is, He brought you into existence when you were nothing; “then causes you to die” when your appointed terms come to an end; “then will bring you to life again” on the Day of Resurrection, for recompense and punishment. “Indeed, man is utterly ungrateful” for Allah’s blessings.

His saying, exalted is He: “For every community We have appointed rites which they observe.” Ibn Abbas said: This means a law which they follow. It is also narrated from him that he said: a festival. Qatadah and Mujahid said: a place of sacrifice where they slaughter. It was also said: a place of worship. And it was said: a custom to which they are accustomed.

In the language of the Arabs, a mansak is a place habitually used for a good or evil deed. From this comes the expression “the rites of Hajj,” because people repeatedly return to the places where the acts of Hajj are performed.

“So let them not dispute with you concerning this matter,” meaning the matter of slaughtered animals. This was revealed concerning Budayl ibn Warqa', Bishr ibn Sufyan, and Yazid ibn Khunays. They said to the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “Why do you eat what you kill with your own hands, yet not eat what Allah has killed?” (1)

Al-Zajjaj said: The meaning of His saying, “So let them not dispute with you,” is: Do not dispute with them, just as one says: “So-and-so does not quarrel with you,”