for which He deserves to be praised in His own right. Thus, all created things contain blessings for His servants—including humankind and jinn, addressed in His words:

“Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?”

This is because they are signs through which His servants are guided, pointing to His oneness and the truthfulness of His prophets. Hence He says immediately afterwards:

“This is a warner like the warners of old.”

Some say this refers to Muhammad; others say it refers to the Quran. The two are inseparable. The meaning is: this is a warner who warns of what the earlier messengers and scriptures warned of. His words, “like the warners of old,” mean that it is of their kind. The greatest blessing is therefore the blessing of faith, and every created thing is among the signs through which something of this blessing is attained. Allah Most High says:

“There is certainly a lesson in their stories for people of understanding.”

And He says:

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

Whatever befalls a person, if it pleases him, is an evident blessing. If it distresses him, it is also a blessing, because it expiates his sins and he is rewarded for bearing it patiently. It is also a blessing because it contains wisdom and mercy unknown to the servant:

“Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you, and perhaps you love something which is bad for you,”

and the rest of the verse. Both kinds of blessing require patience as well as gratitude. In adversity, the need for patience is obvious. As for the blessing of prosperity, it requires steadfastness in obedience amid that prosperity. As one of the early generations said: “We were tested with adversity and remained patient; we were tested with prosperity but did not remain patient.” This is why most of those who enter Paradise are the poor. However, since prosperity brings pleasure and adversity brings pain, gratitude has commonly been associated with prosperity, and patience with adversity. Allah Most High says:

“And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us, then withdraw it from him”

—up to His words—

“Except those who remain patient and do righteous deeds,”

and the rest of the verse.