(71–74) “Have you considered the fire that you kindle? Is it you who brought its tree into being, or are We the One who brought it into being? We made it a reminder and a provision for travelers. So glorify the name of your Lord, the Magnificent.”

This is one of the indispensable blessings that creation cannot do without, for people need fire in many of their affairs and needs. Allah Most High therefore calls upon them to acknowledge the fire He placed within trees and that created beings are incapable of bringing its tree into being. Rather, it is Allah Most High who brought it forth from green trees, whereupon it becomes a fire that is kindled according to His servants’ needs. Once they have finished with it, they extinguish it and put it out.

“We made it a reminder” to His servants of their Lord’s blessing, and a reminder of the Fire of Hell that Allah has prepared for the disobedient. He has made it a whip by which He drives His servants toward the abode of bliss. “And a provision for travelers”—that is, [those who benefit from it or] travelers. Allah singled out travelers because they benefit from it more greatly than others. Perhaps ⦗836⦘ the reason for this is that the whole world is a place of travel: from the moment a servant is born, he is journeying toward his Lord. Allah therefore made this fire a provision for travelers in this abode and a reminder to them of the everlasting abode.

After explaining blessings that require His servants to praise, thank, and worship Him, He commanded them to glorify and praise Him (1), saying: “So glorify the name of your Lord, the Magnificent.” That is, declare your magnificent Lord—perfect in His names and attributes and abundant in beneficence and goodness—to be exalted above every imperfection. Praise Him with your heart, your tongue, and your limbs, for He is worthy of that. He deserves to be thanked and not met with ingratitude, remembered and not forgotten, and obeyed and not disobeyed.