“Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth, and has lavished upon you His blessings, both outward and inward? Yet among people are those who dispute concerning Allah without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating Book.” (20)

His words, Exalted is He: “Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth, and has lavished upon you”—that is, He has completed and perfected—“His blessings.” The people of Madinah, Abu ‘Amr, and Hafs recited it as “His blessings,” with the plural form; the others recited it in the singular, with nunation. Its meaning is likewise plural, as in His words: “If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you could never number them.” (Ibrahim 14)

“Both outward and inward.” ‘Ikrimah narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas: “The outward blessing is Islam and the Quran, while the inward blessing is that He has concealed your sins and has not hastened punishment upon you.” (1)

Al-Dahhak said: “The outward blessing is beauty of form and the proper proportioning of one’s limbs, while the inward blessing is knowledge.” Muqatil said: “The outward blessings are the proper fashioning of creation, provision, and Islam; and the inward blessing is His concealing of sins.” (2)

Al-Rabi‘ said: “The outward blessing pertains to the limbs, and the inward blessing to the heart.” It was also said: “The outward blessing is affirmation by the tongue, and the inward blessing is conviction in the heart.” And it was said: “The outward blessing is ample provision, while the inward blessing is good character.”

‘Ata’ said: “The outward blessing is the easing of the religious laws, and the inward blessing is intercession.”