At-Tariq: (5) "So let man observe from what he was created..."

So let man observe from what he was created. This is a derivation from what preceded it, and the Fa (the "So" in "So let...") is not a Fa of eloquence (Fasihah), contrary to the view of al-Tibi, for there is no need for an ellipsis to render the speech grammatically sound.

As for the estimation that the "Guardian" (al-Hafiz) is Allah—Mighty and Majestic is He—or the angel whom He has entrusted with guardianship in the manner you have heard, it is because when He (Subhanahu) established that there is a watcher over man from Him (the Exalted), He urged man to observe the knowledge that leads to that recognition, along with its attributes. It is as if it were said: "Let him know the Guardian over him, whether by His own agency or by the angel, and let him know of his return to Him (the Exalted), and let him act in a way that pleases him when that return occurs." He expressed the first part with His saying: "So let him observe," to clarify the path of knowledge; it is an elaboration containing conciseness, within which the latter two points are incorporated.

As for the estimation that the intent of "Guardian" is the intellect (al-'aql), it is because when He (Subhanahu) established that man possesses an intellect that guides to benefits and restrains from harms, He urged him to employ it in what benefits him and not to neglect or abandon it. It is as if it were said: "Let him observe with his intellect and reflect through it upon the origin of his creation, so that the power of its Bestower may become clear to him." And that if He is capable of bringing him into existence from materials that never once caught the scent of life, then He (Subhanahu) is far more capable of restoring him, so he may act in a way that pleases him at the time of that restoration.

The derivation may be established across all these interpretations in a similar manner; therefore, reflect upon this. "From what he was created" is an interrogative, and min (from) is connected to "created." The sentence is in the position of the object for "observe," and it is suspended [from acting upon the object] by the interrogative.