Tafsir of Fatir 35:3

Surah Fatir (35): Ayah 3

Then the Almighty said: {Remember the favor of Allah upon you}.

After He established the praise (of Allah) and detailed some aspects of the favor that necessitates praise, He mentioned His favors in a general manner, saying: {Remember the favor of Allah upon you}.

Although these favors are numerous, they are encompassed in two categories:

1. The favor of Existence (الإيجاد).
2. The favor of Sustenance/Preservation (الإبقاء).

The Almighty then said: {Is there any creator other than Allah?} This points to the favor of existence at the beginning.

And the Almighty said: {He provides for you from the heaven and the earth} This points to the favor of preservation through provision until the end.

Then He clarified that {there is no god but He}, considering His Greatness—as He is Mighty, Wise, capable of everything, powerful over all things, and His Will is executed in everything. There is no likeness to Him, and no deity worthy of worship in and of Himself except Him. This is also considered in light of His favor, as there is no creator other than Him, and no provider except Him.

Then the Almighty said: {So how are you turned away?} Meaning, how are you diverted from this evident truth? How can you associate carved idols with the One who possesses the Dominion (Malakut)?

{And if they deny you, then certainly were messengers denied before you. And to Allah are all matters returned.}