Some have understood the sending down of iron to mean its creation, because He brought it out of its mineral deposits and taught people how to work it. Iron is created only in mineral deposits, and these occur only in mountains. Thus Allah sends iron down from its deposits in the mountains so that the children of Adam may benefit from it. Allah Most High says:

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

This, too, has puzzled some people. Some say that “sent down” means “made”; others say it means “created,” on the grounds that livestock are created from water, since water produces the vegetation whose source—water—descends from heaven. Qutrub said: “We made it a provision for hospitality.”

There is no need, however, to depart from the expression’s familiar linguistic meaning. Livestock descend from their mothers’ wombs, and from their fathers’ loins they enter their mothers’ wombs. The verb “to send down” is also used of a man discharging semen; when he ejaculates, a full ritual bath becomes obligatory for him. Yet a man generally ejaculates while lying on his side, whether during intercourse or in a wet dream. How much more, then, does this apply to livestock, which generally discharge semen while standing on their legs, raised above the females’ backs?

This is further clarified by the fact that He did not use the expression “sending down” for things He created in lower places. He did not say that He sent down vegetation or pasture. Rather, He used it for things created in an elevated place, which Allah then sent down from that place, such as iron and livestock. Allah Most High says:

“O children of Adam, We have sent down to you clothing to cover your nakedness and adornment”—to the end of the verse.

There are two readings of this verse. In one, the accusative is used, so that the garment of righteousness is also