to give life to the dead?”

Here He mentions this as evidence that the second creation, which will be from dust, is possible. Hence He says elsewhere:

“O mankind, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then indeed We created you from dust, then from a drop of semen.”

In Surah al-Qiyāmah, He adduces man’s creation from a drop of semen as evidence, since this is known to everyone. In Surah al-Hajj, He mentions man’s creation from dust, since this has been established by conclusive evidence. Mentioning the original creation provides stronger evidence that re-creation is possible.

Here, however, the purpose is to present evidence establishing the existence of the Creator, exalted is He, in the first place. He therefore mentions that He created man from clinging clots. Man develops from the blood clot into a lump of flesh—a piece of flesh like meat chewed in the mouth—then develops further and takes shape, as He, exalted is He, says:

“Then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed, so that We may make things clear to you.”

The womb may expel it before it has taken shape. Thus He makes clear to people the beginning of their creation, which they see with their own eyes. This evidence—man’s creation from clinging clots—is shared by all people. People are the ones drawing the inference, yet they themselves are the evidence, the proof, and the sign. Man is both the evidence and the one who reasons from it, as He, exalted is He, says:

“And in yourselves—do you not see?”

And He says:

“We will show them Our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.”

This is like His statement in another verse:

“Or were they created by nothing, or are they themselves the creators?”