(17–26) “Do they not look at the camels—how they were created; * and at the sky—how it was raised; * and at the mountains—how they were firmly set up; * and at the earth—how it was spread out? * So remind, for you are only a reminder. * You are not one to exercise control over them. * But whoever turns away and disbelieves, * Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment. * Surely to Us is their return; * then surely upon Us is their reckoning.”
Allah Most High says, urging those who do not believe the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—as well as all other people, to reflect upon Allah’s creations, which attest to His oneness: “Do they not look at the camels—how they were created?” That is: [Do they not] consider their wondrous creation, how Allah has subjected them to His servants and made them docile for the many essential benefits they provide?
“And at the mountains—how they were firmly set up” in a magnificent form, thereby giving the earth stability (1), keeping it firm against upheaval, and placing within them whatever [great] benefits He has placed.
“And at the earth—how it was spread out?” That is, it was extended over a vast expanse and made exceedingly easy, so that creatures (2) might settle upon its surface and be able to cultivate it, plant in it, build upon it, and travel the roads leading (3) to their various destinations throughout it.
Know that its being spread out does not conflict with the fact that it is a round sphere and that the celestial spheres surround it on every side, as is demonstrated by transmitted evidence, reason, sensory perception, and observation. This is stated and well known among most (4) people, especially in these times, when people have become acquainted with most of its regions through the means Allah has granted them that bring distant places near. Being spread out is incompatible only with the roundness of a very small body, which, if spread flat, would retain no appreciable curvature. ⦗923⦘
The body of the earth, however, is immensely large and expansive (5), and so it can be spherical while also having a level, spread-out surface. There is no contradiction between the two, as those with expertise know.
“So remind, for you are only a reminder.” That is, remind and exhort people, warn them, and give them glad tidings. You have been sent to call creation to Allah and remind them; you were not sent to exercise control over them, with authority over them and responsibility for their deeds. Once you have fulfilled what is required of you, no blame thereafter attaches to you. This is like the saying of Allah Most High: “You are not one to compel them. So remind with the Quran whoever fears My warning.”
His words, “But whoever turns away and disbelieves,” mean: But whoever turns away from obedience and disbelieves in Allah, “Allah will punish him with the greatest punishment”—that is, the severe and everlasting punishment. “Surely to Us is their return”—that is, the return of creation (6) and their gathering on the Day of Resurrection.
“Then surely upon Us is their reckoning.” We shall call them to account for whatever good and evil they did.
End of the commentary on Surah al-Ghāshiya. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.