(27–29) “We did not create heaven and earth and all that lies between them in vain. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve because of the Fire! * Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on earth? Or should We treat the God-fearing like the wicked? * This is a blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may contemplate its verses and people of sound understanding may take heed.”

Allah Most High informs us of His perfect wisdom in creating the heavens and earth: He did not create them “in vain”—that is, idly and in play, without benefit or purpose.

“That is the assumption of those who disbelieve” in their Lord, for they assumed something unbefitting His majesty. “So woe to those who disbelieve because of the Fire!” It will exact justice from them and afflict them to the utmost.

Allah created the heavens and earth only in truth and for the sake of truth. He created them so that His servants might know the perfection of His knowledge and power, the vastness of His sovereignty, and that He alone is worthy of worship—to the exclusion of those who have not created even an atom’s weight in the heavens or earth. He also created them so that they might know that resurrection is true and that Allah will judge between the people of good and the people of evil.

Let no one ignorant of Allah’s wisdom suppose that Allah will treat the two groups alike in His judgment. Thus He said: “Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption on earth? Or should We treat the God-fearing like the wicked?” This would be unbefitting Our wisdom and judgment.

“This is a blessed Book which We have sent down to you.” It contains abundant good and immense knowledge. It contains guidance out of every form of error, healing for every malady, light by which one may find illumination amid darkness, and every ruling needed by those who are morally responsible. It also contains definitive proofs for every matter sought, making it the greatest book ever to enter the world since Allah created it.

“So that they may contemplate its verses”—that is, this is the wisdom behind its revelation: that people may contemplate its verses, draw out their knowledge, and reflect upon their profound meanings and wisdom. Its blessings and goodness are attained by contemplating it, reflecting upon its meanings, and returning to ponder them time and again. This encourages contemplation of the Quran and shows that it is among the best of deeds, and that recitation accompanied by contemplation is better than rapid recitation that does not achieve this purpose.

“And people of sound understanding may take heed”—that is, those of sound intellect, through contemplating its verses, are reminded of every beneficial truth and objective. This indicates that a person’s ability to take heed and benefit from this Book is commensurate with the soundness of his understanding and intellect.