they afforded them many benefits. Since He had made this for them in this world, He made for the people of Paradise therein what He made.

The scholars discussed why camels were singled out from among all other animals. Muqatil said: “Because they had never seen any beast greater than them, and only rare individuals among them had seen (1) an elephant.”

Al-Kalbi said: “Because it rises with its load while kneeling.”

Qatadah said: “Allah Most High mentioned the height of the couches and beds of Paradise, and they said, ‘How will we ascend them?’ So Allah Most High revealed this verse.”

Al-Hasan was asked about this verse and was told, “The elephant is more remarkable, is it not?” He replied: “As for the elephant, the Arabs have little acquaintance with it. Moreover, it is of no benefit (2): its back is not ridden, its meat is not eaten, and its milk is not milked. Camels, however, are the Arabs’ most precious and valued property: they eat date stones and fodder, yet produce milk.”

It was also said: Despite its great size, it yields to heavy loads and is led by a weak guide, so much so that a small child may take hold of its rein and lead it wherever he wishes. Shurayh the judge would say, “Take us out to the stable yard (4), so that we may look at the camels and how they were created” (5).

“And at the sky—how it is raised; and at the mountains—how they are set firm; and at the earth—how it is spread out.” (18–20)

“And at the sky—how it is raised”: above the earth, so that nothing reaches it, without pillars.

“And at the mountains—how they are set firm”: anchored (6) upon the face of the earth, never moving.

“And at the earth—how it is spread out”: laid out (7). ‘Ata’ narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas: “Is anyone besides Me able to create the like of camels, raise the like of the sky, set firm the like of the mountains, or spread out the like of the earth?”