Tafsir of Ash-Shura 42:49

"To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth..."

Having mentioned that man is made to taste mercy and then afflicted with its opposite, He followed this by stating that the dominion belongs to Him alone. He distributes blessings and trials as He wills, and He grants His servants children according to His will: He singles out some with females, some with males, some with both, and renders others barren, granting them no children at all.

If you ask: Why did He prioritize the mention of females over males, despite the males’ precedence over them? And why did He define the males (with the definite article) after having left the females indefinite?

I say: Because He mentioned "trial" at the end of the previous verse and man’s ingratitude in forgetting the mercy he previously enjoyed. He then followed this by mentioning His dominion, His will, and the distribution of children. He prioritized the females because the context of the discourse is that He does what He wills, not what man wills. Thus, mentioning the females—who were among the things man did not desire—was more important, and the most important must be prioritized. Furthermore, since the Arabs considered the female gender a "trial," He mentioned the trial first.

He delayed the males; but because He delayed them for that reason, He compensated for their delay—and they are worthy of being prioritized—by defining them. For definition is a form of exaltation and distinction, as if He said: "He grants to whom He wills the renowned, distinguished knights who are not hidden from you."

Then, He gave both genders their due right of precedence and delay, and clarified that prioritizing the females was not due to their status, but for another requirement, by saying: "males and females" (42:50), just as He said: "We created you from male and female" (49:13), and "He made from them the two mates, the male and the female" (75:39).

It is also said: This was revealed regarding the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them), as He granted Shu'ayb and Lot females, Abraham males, and Muhammad both males and females, while He made John (Yahya) and Jesus (Isa) barren.

"Indeed, He is Knowing" of the interests of His servants, "Competent" to bring into existence what is beneficial for them.

"And it is not for any human that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Exalted, Wise."