(1–3) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Has there come upon man a span of time when he was not even something worthy of mention? * Indeed, We created man from a drop of mingled fluid to test him, and We gave him hearing and sight. * Indeed, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”

In this noble surah, Allah mentions man’s initial condition, his beginning, his intermediate state, and his ultimate end.

He states that a long span of time passed over man before he existed, when he was nonexistent—not even mentioned.

Then, when Allah the Exalted willed to create him, He created [his father] Adam from clay and thereafter caused his progeny to follow in succession “from a drop of mingled fluid”—that is, from a lowly, repulsive fluid—“to test him” thereby, so that it might become evident whether he considers his initial state and takes heed of it, or forgets it and becomes self-deluded.

Allah then brought him into being and created for him inward and outward faculties, such as hearing, sight, and all the other bodily organs. He perfected them for him and made them sound, enabling him to attain his aims.

He then sent messengers to him, revealed scriptures to him, and guided him to the path leading ⦗901⦘ to Allah (1). He encouraged him to follow it and informed him of what awaited him upon reaching Allah.

He also informed him of the path leading to destruction, warned him against it, and told him what awaited him if he followed it. Allah thereby tested him, and people divided into two groups: those who are grateful for Allah’s blessing and fulfill the duties toward Him with which Allah has charged them; and those who are ungrateful for Allah’s blessing—although Allah bestowed upon them both religious and worldly blessings, they rejected them, disbelieved in their Lord, and followed the path leading to destruction.

The Exalted then mentioned the condition of the two groups when recompense is given, saying: