Tafsir of Qaf 50:7

Tafsir of Surah Qaf, Verse 7

(Qāf: 7) And the earth—We have spread it out, and cast upon it firm mountains, and caused every kind [of beautiful] thing to grow therein.

This verse points to another proof [of Resurrection].

The argument derived from the Earth addresses their claim: When a human dies and the nutritive and growing power leaves him, that power does not return to him.

We respond by saying: The Earth is far more inert (jamūd) and profoundly lifeless (khumūd) than a human body. Yet, Allah Almighty causes all types of vegetation to sprout, grow, and increase upon it. Similarly, life can return to the human being.

Allah mentioned three things concerning the Earth, just as He mentioned three things concerning the Sky:

1. Spreading/Extending (Al-Madd) on Earth, corresponding to Building (Al-Banā') in the Sky.
2. Casting Firm Mountains (Al-Rawāsī) on Earth, corresponding to Adornment (Al-Zīnatu) of the Sky (the stars).
3. Causing things to Grow (Al-Nabāt) on Earth, corresponding to Closing Gaps (Sadd al-Furūj) in the Sky.

Each point corresponds to its opposite:

• Spreading (Madd) is related to Laying Down/Placement, just as Building (Banā') involves raising structures.
• The Firm Mountains (Rawāsī) are fixed and stable on Earth, just as the Stars (Kawkab) are fixed and serve as adornments in the Sky.
• Causing things to Grow (Al-Nabāt) on Earth involves Splitting/Cleaving it, as stated: “Indeed, We poured down water, then split the earth with a splitting” (Surah 'Abasa: 25-26). This act of splitting is the opposite of Closing Gaps (Sadd al-Furūj) and eliminating them.

If you understand this correspondence, then within the human body, there are things that are laid down (fixed), things that are raised up, things that are stable (like the nose and ear), and things that are mobile (like the pupil and the tongue). Furthermore, there are structures with closed gaps (like the dome of the head and weakly woven membranes like the peritoneum), and structures that possess gaps and openings (like the nostrils, ear canals, and mouth).

The One capable of creating these opposites within this cradle (the Earth) and the seven firm heavens is certainly not incapable of creating a similar structure within these bodies.

(Regarding the interpretation of Al-Rawāsī, we have already discussed it in Surah Luqman. Al-Bahīj means the beautiful/pleasing.)

{ A lesson and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah ] in repentance. }