(27–28) “Have you not seen that Allah sends down water from the sky, by which We bring forth fruits of varying colors? And in the mountains are streaks of white and red, of varying shades, and others intensely black. Likewise, among people, creatures, and livestock are those of varying colors. Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Almighty, All-Forgiving.”
The Exalted speaks of His creation of contrasting things that share one origin and one substance, yet exhibit observable and well-known differences and variations. This shows His servants the perfection of His power and the marvelousness of His wisdom.
One example is that Allah the Exalted sends down water from the sky and thereby brings forth the varied fruits and diverse plants visible to all who behold them, even though the water is one and the earth is one.
Another example is the mountains, which Allah has made as pegs for the earth. You may find mountains joined together—or even a single mountain—yet containing many colors. Some contain white streaks, meaning white pathways; others contain yellow and red pathways; and still others are intensely black, meaning exceedingly dark.
Another example is people, creatures, and livestock. They differ in colors, attributes, voices, and forms, as is plainly visible and witnessed by all who look, even though they all share one origin and one substance.
Their variation is rational evidence of Allah the Exalted’s will, which assigned to each of them its particular color and attributes; of Allah the Exalted’s power, by which He brought them into existence in this manner; and of His wisdom and mercy, for these differences and variations contain well-known benefits and advantages, enabling routes to be recognized and people to recognize one another.
This is also evidence of the vastness of Allah the Exalted’s knowledge and that He will resurrect those in the graves. Yet the heedless person looks upon these and other things inattentively, in a way that does not prompt him to ⦗689⦘ reflect. They benefit only those who fear Allah the Exalted and, through sound reflection, perceive the wisdom within them.
Hence He says: “Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah.” The more a person knows of Allah, the greater his fear of Him. Fear of Allah requires him to refrain from sins and prepare to meet the One he fears. This demonstrates the virtue of knowledge, for it leads to fear of Allah. Those who fear Him are those whom He honors, as the Exalted says: “Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is for whoever fears his Lord.”
“Indeed, Allah is Almighty”—perfect in might, and one manifestation of His might is His creation of these contrasting things.
“All-Forgiving” of the sins of those who repent.