Al-Nāziʿāt – Verse 33

مَتاعًا لَكُم وَلِأَنعامِكُم

As a [place of] sustenance for you and your livestock.

EXPOSITION

All the blessings, gifts, and signs described in verses 27-32 are As a [place of] sustenance for you and your livestock. Note that you addresses all humankind, especially those who have been described in the previous verses to be deniers and sceptics of the resurrection and the Day of Judgement. These verses point to the manner in which the heavens and the earth and what lies within them have been managed and designed to serve humankind’s benefit and welfare. The tight interdependence between these phenomena loudly calls out to their purpose.[1] In turn, this makes it incumbent upon the rational mind and the sound heart to know and become conscious of its Creator and Sustainer.[2] It is cause for awe and fear of transgression and for gratitude towards God for His gifts. All of this cannot be in vain and there will come a day when everyone will be held accountable for their actions and decisions with regards to all these gifts. Hence, the Day of Judgement is an inevitability, and the Creator of that whose creation is more prodigious than the creation of humankind, does not find any challenge in resurrecting human beings after their death to face their final hour.[3]

Lastly, notice that the facts presented by the verses are enough to convey this message for every time and age[4] while inviting humans to increase their discoveries about their universe to further witness the design, power, knowledge, interdependence, care, and purpose that are manifested therein.

[1] Qutb, 6/3817.
[2] Tibyan, 10/261-262.
[3] Mizan‎, 20/191.
[4] Qutb, 6/3817.