the transmitted account states:

“The first to write and sew was Idrīs, peace be upon him.”

Adam, peace be upon him, did not sew a garment, so what would he do with a needle?

Furthermore, Allah stated that He sent down iron. The principal purpose of mentioning iron was its use in making weapons for jihad—swords, spearheads, blades, and similar implements by which Allah and His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are supported. These did not descend from heaven. If it is said that the implement used to forge them descended, the reply is: Allah stated that He sent down iron for the purposes already mentioned. The implement alone is insufficient; there must also be material from which weapons for jihad can be made.

However, the expression “sending down” puzzled many people, to the point that Qutrub, may Allah have mercy on him, said that it means He made it a provision for hospitality (nuzul), as in the expression, “He bestowed the matter upon so-and-so as a good provision”—that is, He made it a provision. He said that a similar example is Allah’s statement:

“And He sent down for you eight pairs of livestock.”

This interpretation is weak, for nuzul applies only to what is eaten, not to what is used in fighting. Allah Most High says:

“Then a welcome of scalding water.”

Hospitality is called nuzul because a guest customarily arrives riding, then alights at a place where refreshments are brought to him. It is thus called nuzul because of his alighting (nuzūl). One also says, “A guest alighted among such-and-such a clan.” This is why Noah, peace be upon him, said:

“My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to grant a landing.”

For he was aboard the Ark. The places where travellers stop are called manāzil because they travel mounted and then alight; those travelling on foot follow the mounted travellers in this usage. Dwellings are also called manāzil.