ভূমিকা

The Arabic word ayd may ad hoc be employed either as the plural form of yad (“hand”), as in “Or have they hands wherewith they hold?” ^1 , or as an infinitive designating ‘support’, as the derivatives of the root ‘-y-d (“support, back”) attested elsewhere in the Holy Qur’an, including: “He it is Who has supported you with His Help and with the believers” ^2 . The Arabic words farsh and mahd designate spreading something for taking rest.

Following recounting the story of the Prophets and their peoples and nations, the blessed Verses in question treat of Divine Omnipotence, Beneficence, and Creativity reminding people to behold the manner through which God Almighty, unaided and without time created the heavens ex nihilo, established, and spread it out.

Only God Almighty, the Creator and the Provider, is Aware of the vastness of the heavens and the number of spheres, planets, and galaxies and despite the strenuous efforts made by astronomers, they have failed to gain full acquaintance with the number of all the stars and planets. The number is seemingly infinite.

Human knowledge is such that the more it is gained, it may still advance, since Divine Emanation is Infinite; consequently, the more human knowledge advances, it becomes finite against Divine Omnipotence. The blessed Verse 48 proceeds with a treatment of Divine Favors bestowed upon mankind. God Almighty makes mention of His Omniscience and Omnipotence saying that He spread out the earth like the carpet beneath man’s feet and made it an abode for him.

The Arabic word mahd denotes cradle attested in 19:29, when to remove the unfounded accusations, Mary (as) was asked to point to baby Jesus (as) so that they may ask him and they replied: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” God Almighty likens the earth to a cradle since the earth is in permanent motion like the cradle moving for pacifying the child.