“He presents an example to Us and forgets his own creation. He says, ‘Who will give life to bones when they have crumbled away?’”

This is a rhetorical question expressing denial: that is, no one can give life to bones when they have crumbled away. In his view, their crumbled state prevents their being brought to life because they have become dry and cold—conditions incompatible with life, which rests upon heat and moisture—and because their parts have scattered and mingled with other things, along with similar objections.

The argument, stated in full, is: these bones have crumbled away; no one can give life to bones when they have crumbled away; therefore, no one can give life to them. But this negative proposition is false: it asserts that bringing them to life is impossible. He, glorified is He, demonstrated its possibility in several ways, showing that what is even harder to conceive is possible and within His power. Thus, He said:

“He who created them the first time will give them life.”

He had created them from dust. Then He said:

“And He has knowledge of every creation.”

This makes clear His knowledge of the parts that have scattered and undergone transformation. Then He said:

“He who made fire for you from the green tree.”

He thus explained that He brought forth hot, dry fire from something cold and moist. This involves an even greater opposition, for heat and moisture combine more readily than heat and dryness: moisture can be affected in ways that dryness cannot.

Then He said:

“Is not He who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them?”

This is a self-evident premise. Hence, He expressed it as a question calling for acknowledgment, indicating that this is already firmly established and known to the person addressed. As He, glorified is He, said:

“They bring you no example without Our bringing you the truth and the best explanation.”

Then He explained His all-encompassing power by saying:

“His command, when He wills something, is only to say to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.”