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He, glorified be He, sometimes mentions the creation of man in general terms and sometimes describes it in detail, as when He says:

“We created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a secure resting place. Then We made the drop into a clinging clot, then made the clot into a lump of flesh, then made the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then brought him into being as another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.”

He then mentions the two returns—the lesser and the greater—saying:

“Then, after that, you will surely die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be raised.”

Some people ask: Why does the emphatic lām occur in the statement about death, which is witnessed, but not in the statement about resurrection, which is unseen and therefore calls for emphasis?

The reason—and Allah knows best—is that the purpose of mentioning death and resurrection is to announce recompense and the return, the first stage of which is death. Thus He draws attention to belief in the return and preparation for what comes after death. He says only, “you will be raised,” not “you will be recompensed”; nevertheless, it is known that resurrection is for recompense.

This also draws attention to how man is overpowered and humbled. He says: “After this