Surah Adh-Dhaariyat (51) — Ayah 20

(Ayah 20) ➊ { وَ فِي الْاَرْضِ اٰيٰتٌ لِّلْمُوْقِنِيْنَ:} At the beginning of the surah, after swearing by four types of winds, it was said that the Resurrection is true, then an oath was taken by the sky upon it. Now, by means of the “waw” (and), the discourse is connected to the same subject, and it is said: “And in the earth are many signs for those who have certainty.” This is the same reasoning that is found throughout the Quran as evidence for the truth of the Resurrection. For example, it is said: «وَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِهٖۤ اَنَّكَ تَرَى الْاَرْضَ خَاشِعَةً فَاِذَاۤ اَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَآءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَ رَبَتْ اِنَّ الَّذِيْۤ اَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْيِ الْمَوْتٰى » [ حٰمٓ السجدۃ : ۳۹ ] “And among His signs is that you see the earth still (barren), then when We send down water upon it, it stirs and swells. Indeed, He who gave it life is surely the One who will give life to the dead.” The meaning is that all the previous crops of the earth become dust and are finished, then new ones grow again. This is something that comes before everyone’s eyes; it does not require much contemplation, only certainty. That is why in this verse, there is no invitation to contemplation, as in the next verse {’’ اَفَلَا تُبْصِرُوْنَ ‘‘} it is said, but rather it is said: “In the earth are many signs for those who have certainty.” This is said because only those who have certainty benefit from these signs.

➋ { ’’ وَ فِي الْاَرْضِ اٰيٰتٌ لِّلْمُوْقِنِيْنَ ‘‘} (And in the earth are many signs for those who have certainty) In clear words, it is not stated what these are signs of, because in this there are not only signs of the truth of the Resurrection, but also countless signs of the existence of Allah, His oneness, and His infinite power. Zamakhshari said: “And in the earth are many signs that indicate the Maker and His power, wisdom, and management. Thus, the earth is like a bed for what is above it, as He said: « الَّذِيْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْاَرْضَ مَهْدًا » [ طٰہٰ : ۵۳ ] ‘He who made the earth a bed for you.’ And for those who walk, there are paths and wide highways in it, upon which they walk on its shoulders, and its various parts are like plains, mountains, deserts, seas, etc., and there are many types, such as hard, soft, fertile, salty, etc. It is like a pregnant animal from whose belly countless plants, trees, and fruits are produced, whose colors, fragrances, and tastes are different, even though all are watered by the same water. Despite this, they have superiority over one another, and all this is exactly in accordance with the needs of the inhabitants of the earth, and the wisdoms of their health and illness. Then there are the springs that gush forth in it, the various minerals, and the wild, domestic, beneficial, and poisonous animals of different shapes, forms, and functions spread in the land, air, and sea, and besides these, countless other things in which there are many signs for those who have certainty, because they alone see with seeing eyes.”

The explanation of this verse has been given along with the previous verse.

And on the earth are many signs [13] for those who have sure faith.

[13]
Various Signs of Divine Power in the Earth:

By this are meant those signs that are scattered throughout the universe, and the Quran repeatedly draws attention to reflecting upon them. These include the alternation of night and day, the changing of seasons and the gradual system within them, the entire system of rainfall, the revival of dead earth through it, the growth of various kinds of plants, grains, and fruits, and the provision of sustenance for all creatures from this produce, the treasures buried within the earth, the seas and mountains, and even mankind’s authority and dominion over most things in the universe and over animals. In short, such signs are countless and innumerable. The common factor found in all of them is that all these things have been created for the benefit of mankind. And within all of them is found such an order and system that, because of it, they prove beneficial for humans. If such a coherent order and system were not present in them, then each and every thing would have been enough to destroy mankind. This very matter indicates that the Creator of all these can only be one Being, and secondly, that some beneficial result should emerge from this coherent order and system of the universe, and that result is the Hereafter.