The second view is that it is a relative pronoun, meaning “the One who built it” and “the One who spread it.” Mā (“what”) has a general, indeterminate sense, suitable for things that do not possess knowledge and for the attributes of those who do, as in His words, Exalted is He:

“I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship.”

And His words:

“Then marry women of your choice.”

This meaning also applies to His words:

“And by the One who created the male and the female.”

Besides being the apparent meaning and the default reading of the wording, this interpretation is also fuller in meaning. Swearing by the agent includes swearing by his action, unlike swearing by the action alone. Moreover, most oaths in the Quran are by entities, whether acting or otherwise. He swears by the action itself, as in His words:

“By those ranged in ranks,
then those who drive away with force,
then those who recite the Reminder.”

And His words, “By those who draw out,” and “By those sent forth,” and similar passages.

Sometimes He, glorified is He, swears by created things themselves, and sometimes by their Lord and Creator, as in His words:

“By the Lord of heaven and earth.”

And His words:

“And by the One who created the male and the female.”

At other times, He swears both by them and by their Lord. In this surah, He swore by a created thing and its action; He also swore by a created thing without its action, then swore by its Maker.