‘Indeed, a momentous state of affairs exists between Me and the jinn and mankind: I create, yet they worship others besides Me; I provide, yet they thank others besides Me.’” This meaning has also been related in explanation of His words:

“And in return for your provision, you deny the truth.”

That is, you make your gratitude and your thanks to your Lord consist in denying Allah’s favor and attributing provision to others besides Him, such as the stars. Thus, it is authentically reported from Ibn ‘Abbās that he said:

“Rain fell upon the people during the Prophet’s lifetime, and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘This morning, some people are grateful, while others show disbelief.’ Some said, ‘This is Allah’s mercy,’ while others said, ‘Such-and-such star has indeed proved true.’ Then this verse was revealed: ‘I swear by the positions of the stars,’ continuing through to: ‘And in return for your provision, you deny the truth.’”

In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Hurayrah reports that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whenever Allah sends down a blessing from heaven, some people greet the morning disbelieving in it. Allah sends down rain, and they say, ‘Such-and-such star.’” In another version: “By such-and-such star.”

Ibn al-Mundhir narrated in his Tafsīr:

“Muhammad ibn ‘Alī—meaning al-Sā’igh—narrated to us; Sa‘īd—that is, Ibn Mansūr—narrated to us; Hushaym narrated to us, from Abū Bishr, from Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr, from Ibn ‘Abbās, that he used to recite:

‘And in place of gratitude, you deny the truth,’