Tafsir of Luqman 31:20

{What is in the heavens}: The sun, the moon, the stars, the clouds, and other things.

{And what is in the earth}: The seas, the rivers, the minerals, the beasts, and that which is beyond count.

{And He has lavished}: It is recited with both sīn and ṣād. This applies to every sīn that appears with ghayn, khā’, or qāf (e.g., salakha becomes ṣalakha; saqar becomes ṣaqar; sāligh becomes ṣāligh). It is also recited as ni‘amahu, ni‘matahu, and ni‘matahu.

If you ask: What is a blessing (ni‘mah)? I say: Every benefit intended for kindness. Allah Almighty created the entire world as a blessing, for it is either animate or inanimate. That which is inanimate is a blessing for the animate. The animate is a blessing in that its creation as a living being is a blessing to itself; for were it not created alive, it could not derive benefit. Everything that leads to benefit and facilitates it is a blessing.

If you ask: Why was the creation of the world intended for kindness? I say: Because He does not create except for a purpose; otherwise, it would be in vain (‘abath), and vanity is not permissible for Him. It is also not permissible that it be for a purpose returning to Him as a benefit, for He is Self-Sufficient and has no need for benefits. Thus, it remains that it must be for a purpose returning to the animate, which is its benefit.

If you ask: What is the meaning of "apparent" (ẓāhirah) and "hidden" (bāṭinah)? I say: The apparent is everything known through observation. The hidden is that which is not known except through evidence, or is not known at all. How many blessings are in the human body that one does not know and cannot find a way to understand? Scholars have elaborated on this:

• Mujahid: The apparent is the manifestation of Islam and victory over enemies; the hidden is the support of the angels.
• Al-Hasan: The apparent is Islam; the hidden is concealment (of sins).
• Al-Dahhak: The apparent is a beautiful form, stature, and balanced limbs; the hidden is knowledge.
• Others: The apparent is sight, hearing, the tongue, and other external limbs; the hidden is the heart, intellect, understanding, and the like.

It is narrated in the supplication of Moses (peace be upon him): "My God, show me the most hidden of Your blessings upon Your servants." He replied: "The most hidden of My blessings upon them is the breath." It is also narrated that the easiest way the people of the Fire are punished is by the seizing of their breath.