Bayhaqi 3695 — Pausing at a verse of mercy, a verse of punishment

Hujr bin Qays al-Madari (may Allah have mercy on him) relates: Once I spent the night at the house of Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), and I heard him reciting in his night prayer (tahajjud). When he reached this verse: "Have you seen what you emit? Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator?" [Surah al-Waqi'ah: 58-59], he said: 'Bal anta ya rabb' (Rather, You, O Allah, are the Creator), three times. Then he recited: "Have you seen what you sow? Is it you who make it grow, or are We the grower?" [Surah al-Waqi'ah: 63-64], then he said three times: 'Bal anta ya rabb' (Rather, it is You, O my Lord). Then he recited: "Have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or are We the ones who send it down?" [Surah al-Waqi'ah: 68-69]
He said three times: 'Bal anta ya rabb' (O my Lord, it is You indeed). Then he recited: "Have you seen the fire that you kindle? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?" [Surah al-Waqi'ah: 71-72]. He said three times: 'Bal anta ya rabb' (O Allah, it is You who does all this).