Tafsir of Abasa 80:19

The phrase "from a drop of sperm He created him" does not imply that it is the literal answer [to the preceding question]; in reality, it is not an answer at all, but rather [a statement provided] in the form of one. It is a substitute (badal) for His, Glory be to Him, saying: "From what thing did He create him?" It is also permitted that it serves the purpose of confirmation and belittlement—the latter being derived from the indefinite word "thing" (shay’). It is said that belittlement is also understood from His, Glory be to Him, saying "from a drop of sperm," meaning: "From what base, contemptible thing did He create him?"

"He created him from a drop of sperm" means He created him, then measured him (qaddarahu)—that is, He prepared him for the limbs and forms that are suitable and appropriate for him. Thus, the measurement here is in the sense of preparation for what is fitting. For this reason, it is permissible to use the conjunction fa (then/so) without necessitating equality, because "creation" in the sense of measurement entails this meaning, or at least includes it. It is also permissible that this is a detailed explanation of what was previously summarized in His, the Almighty’s, saying: "From what thing did He create him?"—meaning, He measured him through stages until He completed his creation.