These kinds of practices are some training classes to teach man piety...

These kinds of practices are some training classes to teach man piety, which is synonymous with having a sense of responsibility, and, the standard of measuring one's personality. Finally, it is worship that causes man to attain the epithet of being pious, -a good mood in the spirit of man, that comes into being as a result of worship and servitude unto Allah.

The emphasis on the phrase: 'Those before you' in the verse, may refer to the idea that if you agree with the custom of your ancestors that you should worship idols, Allah is the creator of both you and your ancestors. He is the Master and the Cherisher of you and your ancestors both. So, worshipping the idols, either done by you or by your ancestors, is not anything but aberration.

The Sky and the Earth are Bounties In the next verse, it points to some other great bounties of Allah that can serve to motivate men to be thankful. At first, it refers to the creation of the Earth and its Creator: " Who has spread out the earth as a resting place for you... " The earth is like a mount that carries you on its back. It continues moving at a wonderful speed in space. It has different movements but you feel no shaking at all. So the earth is one of Allah's great bounties.

Another bounty is the gravity of the earth which enables you to walk, rest, build houses and to prepare gardens, fields, and all kinds of vehicles, instruments, etc; for your usage. Have you ever thought that if the gravity of Earth did not exist, because of its rotation, all of us and all of our houses and furniture, or, in general, everything on the globe would be immediately thrown floating into space?

The term / firas / 'a resting place' not only has the meaning of rest and tranquility, but also contains the concept of being pleasant and warm with a moderate temperature. It is interesting that, commenting on this verse, Ali ibn al-Husayn, the fourth Imam of the Shi'ah school (as), has clearly explained this meaning, thus: "Allah has arranged the earth adapted to your nature and appropriate for your bodies. He made it neither very hot so that it roasts you, nor very cold so that it freezes you.

He made it neither too aromatic so much so that its odor hurts your brains, nor too foul-smelling to cause your death.