“And the mountains as pegs”: that is, pegs for the earth, so that it would not shake. “And We created you in pairs”: that is, as different kinds—male and female. “And We made your sleep a rest”: that is, a repose for your bodies.

Al-Zajjaj said: “Rest is a cessation of movement while the spirit remains within the body.” It was also said: We made your sleep an interruption to your work, for the original meaning of sabt is cutting off.

“And We made the night a covering”: a cover and veil which conceals everything in its darkness. “And We made the day for livelihood”: livelihood is life and living; everything through which one earns a living is called livelihood. That is, We made the day a means for earning one’s livelihood and attending to one’s needs. Ibn Abbas (1) said: That is, you seek therein from Allah’s bounty and from the provision He has apportioned for you.

“And We built above you seven mighty heavens”: that is, seven heavens. “And We made a blazing lamp”: meaning the sun (2), radiant and illuminating. Al-Zajjaj said: “Blazing means intensely burning.” Muqatil said: He placed within it light and heat; blazing combines both light and heat.

“And We sent down from the rain-bearing winds”: Mujahid, Qatadah, Muqatil, and al-Kalbi said: This means the winds that squeeze the clouds, and this is the narration of al-Awfi from Ibn Abbas.

Al-Azhari said: They are winds possessing ⦗183/a⦘ whirlwinds. According to this interpretation, the preposition “from” carries the meaning of “by,” meaning: by the rain-bearing winds, for the wind draws forth the rain.

Abu al-Aliyah, al-Rabi, and al-Dahhak said: The rain-bearing winds are the clouds, and this is the narration of al-Walibi from Ibn Abbas.