“Then We made the drop of fluid into a clinging clot; then We made the clot into a lump of flesh; then We made the lump into bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We brought him forth as another creation. So blessed is Allah, the Best of creators. (14) Then, indeed, after that you are to die. (15) Then, indeed, on the Day of Resurrection you will be raised. (16)”
His saying, exalted is He, “Then We made the drop of fluid into a clinging clot; then We made the clot into a lump of flesh; then We made the lump into bones”: Ibn Amir and Abu Bakr recited “bone,” and “We clothed the bone,” in the singular in both instances. The others recited both in the plural, because the human being has many bones. It was also said that there are forty days between each two stages of creation.
“Then We clothed the bones with flesh”: that is, We covered them. “Then We brought him forth as another creation”: the commentators differed concerning this. Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, al-Shabi, Ikrimah, al-Dahhak, and Abu al-Aliyah said: it refers to the breathing of the soul into him. (1) Qatadah said: it refers to the growth of the teeth and hair. Ibn Jurayj narrated from Mujahid that it means attaining the fullness of youth. Al-Hasan said: male or female. Al-Awfi narrated from Ibn Abbas that it refers to the successive changes in his condition after birth: from his first cry to suckling, then sitting, then standing, then walking, then weaning, then eating and drinking, until he reaches puberty and travels about through the lands, and thereafter.
“So blessed is Allah”: that is, He is worthy of glorification and praise, for He has always been and will always be. “The Best of creators”: that is, of those who fashion and determine. In Arabic, creation may mean determining or measuring out. Mujahid said: “They make, and Allah makes; yet Allah is the best of makers.” It may be said of a man that he is a creator, meaning a maker.
Ibn Jurayj said: The plural term “creators” is used because Jesus used to create, as he said: “Indeed, I create for you from clay” (Aal Imran 3:49). Thus Allah informed of Himself that He is the Best of creators. (2)
“Then, indeed, after that you are to die”: in Arabic, mayyit, with a doubled consonant, and mait refer to one who has not yet died but will die, whereas mayt, without the doubled consonant, refers to one who has died. Therefore, the latter form is not permissible here, just as in His saying: “Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die” (al-Zumar 39:30). “Then, indeed, on the Day of Resurrection you will be raised.”