﴿38﴾ “There is no creature on earth, nor any bird flying on its wings, but they are communities like you. We have omitted nothing from the Book. Then to their Lord they will be gathered.”

That is, all terrestrial and aerial creatures—livestock, wild beasts, and birds—are communities like you. We created them just as We created you, provided for them just as We provided for you, and Our will and power take effect in them just as they do in you.

“We have omitted nothing from the Book.” That is, We have neither neglected nor overlooked anything in the Preserved Tablet. Rather, all things, small and great, are inscribed in the Preserved Tablet exactly as they are, and every event occurs precisely as the Pen had written.

This verse proves that the primordial Book encompasses all that exists. This is one of the levels of divine decree and predestination, which are four: ⦗256⦘ Allah’s all-encompassing knowledge of all things; His Book, which encompasses everything that exists; His will and power, which universally prevail over all things; and His creation of every created being, including the deeds of His servants.

It is also possible that “the Book” refers to this Quran, in which case the meaning is similar to the words of Allah Most High: “We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification of all things.”

“Then to their Lord they will be gathered.” That is, all communities will be gathered and assembled before Allah at the place of Resurrection, on that tremendous and terrifying occasion. He will then recompense them with His justice and benevolence and execute His judgment upon them—a judgment for which the first and the last, the inhabitants of heaven and the inhabitants of earth, will praise Him.