Tafsir of Al-`Ankabut 29:60

"And how many a creature does not bear its own provision"—this was revealed when it was narrated that the Prophet (may Allah exalt his mention and grant him peace) commanded the believers who were in Makkah to migrate to Madinah, and they said: "How can we go to a land where we have no means of living?" Thus, it was revealed: meaning, how many a creature is unable to carry its provision due to its weakness, or does not store it, but wakes up having no provision with it.

According to Ibn Uyaynah: "Nothing stores its provision except for man, the ant, and the field mouse." According to Ibn Abbas: "Nothing stores except for the human, the ant, the field mouse, and the magpie." It is said that the magpie has caches, but it forgets them. Some have said: "I saw the nightingale hoarding in its sides," though the apparent truth is that this is not authentic. Some have mentioned to me that most birds of prey store food, and Allah the Exalted knows the truth of that.

"Allah provides for it and for you"—furthermore, they, despite their weakness and reliance [upon Allah], and you, despite your strength and striving, are equal in that no one provides for them or for you except Allah the Exalted; for the provision of all is through causes, and He, the Almighty and Majestic, is the sole Creator of those causes. Therefore, do not fear for your livelihood by migrating. Since the intention was to remove what was in their minds regarding migration in the most eloquent manner, it was said: "He provides for it and for you," rather than "He provides for you and for it."

"And He is the All-Hearing"—the One perfect in hearing, so He hears this saying of yours—"the All-Knowing"—the One perfect in knowledge, so He knows what your innermost thoughts contain.