And it may refer to the differences in their different tastes...

And it may refer to the differences in their different tastes, constructions, and properties, so much so that even in one kind of fruit you can find various sorts. For example, there are, perhaps, fifty kinds of grapes and more than seventy kinds of date. In the continuation of the verse, the Qur’a-n has referred to the variety of roads which exist in the mountains and these mountains cause the ways to be recognized from each other.

It says: “… and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of divers hues and (others) intensely black?” From one side, this difference of colours gives a special beauty to the mountains and, on the other side, it is a cause for finding ways not being lost in the crooked roads of the mountains, and, ultimately, it is a proof upon the Power of Allah over everything. The Arabic word /judad/ is the plural form of /juddah/ in the sense of ‘road and way’.

The Arabic word /bayd?/ is the plural form of /’abyad?/ which means ‘white’; and /h?umur/ is the plural form of /’ah?mar/ in the sense of ‘red’. The Qur’a-nic term /qara-bi-b/ is the plural form of /qirbi-b/ which means ‘black in full’, and that in Arabic ‘crow’ is called /qura-b/ is also from this quality. Therefore, the mention of the word /su-d/, which is also the plural form of /’aswad/, next to it is for an emphasis upon the ‘intensely black’ colour seen in some mountain roads.

However, the construction of the mountains with diverse and completely different colours, from one side, and the mountain roads with various colours, on the other side, are some other signs for the Greatness, Power, and Wisdom of Allah which every moment appear in a form and every time decorate themselves in another clothing.

Having some knowledge and awareness over the secrets of existence is a preparation for reaching the position of fearing Allah. This verse refers to the variety of colours in men and in other living animals.