Moreover, they contain blessings and benefits for His servants beyond serving as evidence, as in the creation of the sun, the moon, clouds, rain, animals, and plants. All these are among His signs, and they confer immense blessings upon His servants beyond serving as evidence. They therefore call for gratitude because of the blessings they contain, and for reflection because of what they point to. The Most High says:

“And He is the One Who made the night and the day alternate, for whoever wishes to reflect or to be grateful.”

He also says:

“As an insight and a reminder for every servant who turns to Him.”

Both gratitude and knowledge move the servant to worship Allah. He witnesses Allah’s blessings upon him, and this calls him to give thanks for them. Souls are naturally disposed to love those who treat them kindly. Allah Most High is the Bestower of blessings, the Benefactor; every blessing His servants enjoy comes from Him alone. As the hadith states:

“Whoever says in the morning, ‘O Allah, whatever blessing I or any of Your creation have this morning is from You alone, without any partner,’ has offered the thanks due for that day. Whoever says this in the evening has offered the thanks due for that night.”

This was narrated by Abū Hātim and by Ibn Hibbān in his Sahīh, from Ibn ‘Abbās. Another hadith states:

“Whoever says, ‘Praise be to Allah, my Lord. I associate nothing with Him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.’” (1) (*).

He, glorified be He, has condemned those who disbelieve after having believed, as He says:

“Say, ‘Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and sea?’”

And the rest of the verse. This concerns the removal of affliction. Concerning blessings, He says:

“And you repay your provision with denial.”

That is, you make denial your gratitude, your thanks for what Allah has provided you, and your allotted share. This is seeking rain through the stars, as established in the authentic hadith of Ibn ‘Abbās, who said: “Rain fell