(20–23) “And on earth are signs for those of sure faith, * and within yourselves. Will you not then see? * And in heaven is your provision and what you are promised. * By the Lord of heaven and earth, it is indeed the truth, just as surely as you speak.”

Allah Most High says, calling His servants to reflect and take heed: “And on earth are signs for those of sure faith.”

This includes the earth itself and all that it contains—mountains, seas, rivers, trees, and plants—which point anyone who reflects upon them and contemplates their significance to the greatness of their Creator, the vastness of His dominion, His all-embracing beneficence, and His comprehensive knowledge of all things outward and inward. Likewise, within the servant himself are lessons, wisdom, and mercy indicating that Allah alone is the One, the Unique (1), the Sole and Self-Sufficient, and that He did not create His creatures without purpose.

His words, “And in heaven is your provision,” mean the source of your provision, including rain and the various divine decrees governing both religious and worldly provision; “and what you are promised” of recompense in this world and the Hereafter, for it comes down from Allah like all other divine decrees.

After setting forth these signs and drawing attention to them in a manner that awakens the intelligent and discerning, Allah Most High swore that His promise and recompense are true. He compared their certainty to the most evident of things [to us]—our speech—saying: “By the Lord of heaven and earth, it is indeed the truth, just as surely as you speak.” Just as you have no doubt that you speak, neither should there be any doubt concerning resurrection after death (2).