أَأَنتُم أَنشَأتُم شَجَرَتَها أَم نَحنُ المُنشِئونَ

Was it you who caused its tree to grow, or were We the grower?

EXEGESIS

The trees mentioned here are apparently the special trees which were used for igniting and initiating a fire. Much like firestone, the desert Arabs used to strike two branches of specific trees that would give out a spark. It could also be a reference to the logs that are used as fuel for combustion.

EXPOSITION

Was it you who caused its tree to grow, or were We the grower? Indeed, it is a great sign of God that He brings fire out of green living trees: He, who made for you fire out of the green tree, and, behold, you light fire from it! (36:80). This would be a further step to what was mentioned in verses 63-64: not only is it God who grows the plants and trees, but it is also He who has given (certain) trees the property of igniting or catching fire. Once again, striking or rubbing two pieces of wood together is only mentioned as an example; otherwise, the general argument applies to any means of making a fire. This would include the fuels, systems, processes, and technologies that are used in the modern world for ignition and combustion: Was it you who caused its tree to grow, or were We the grower?^{‎[1]Furqan, 28/96.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. Ḥujr al-Murādī narrated: ‘I spent one night with [Imam] Ali (a), and I heard him reciting these verses in prayer. When he recited Is it you who create it, or are We the creator? he replied thrice: “Rather You did, my Lord!” When he recited Is it you who make it grow, or are We the grower? he replied thrice: “Rather You did, my Lord!” When he recited Is it you who bring it down from the rain-cloud, or is it We who bring [it] down? he replied thrice: “Rather You did, my Lord!” When he recited Was it you who caused its tree to grow, or were We the grower? he replied thrice: “Rather You did, my Lord!”’^{‎[2]Furqan, 1/160.}

Note: This account shows the appropriate manner of reciting the Quran. The recitation of God’s words should be like a live conversation with Him, including answering the calls or questions of the Quran wherever applicable. It clearly confirms that God has sent these words for every single individual, and each person should assume himself as the direct addressee of God, glorified is He (4:174, 16:44, 21:10, 24:34).

[1] Furqan, 28/96.
[2] Furqan, 1/160.