from dust, and to dust they return.” As the Most High said:

“From it We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you forth once again.”

And He said:

“There you will live, there you will die, and from there you will be brought forth.”

In several places, He—glorified be He—has likened restoring people to life in the next creation to reviving the earth after its death. For example, He says:

“It is He who sends the winds as heralds of His mercy, until, when they carry heavy clouds, We drive them to a dead land, send down rain, and bring forth with it every kind of fruit. Thus shall We bring forth the dead, so that you may take heed.”

And He said:

“And the earth—We spread it out and placed firmly anchored mountains upon it,”

up to His words:

“And with it We gave life to a dead land. Such will be the coming forth.”

And the Most High said:

“O mankind, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then indeed We created you from dust, then from a drop of fluid, then from a clinging clot, then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed, so that We may make things clear to you. We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term, then bring you forth as infants, then let you reach your full strength. Some of you die, while others are brought back to the most feeble age, so that after having knowledge they know nothing. You see the earth lifeless, but when We send down water upon it, it stirs, swells, and brings forth every kind of delightful plant.”

“That is because Allah is the Truth, because He gives life to the dead, and because He has power over all things.”

And the Most High said:

“It is Allah who sends the winds, which stir up clouds, then We drive them to a dead land and thereby revive the earth after its death. Such will be the resurrection.”