'And We have spread out the earth.' This is so by virtue of Our greatness. It has become leveled and suitable for things to settle upon it. It is a sign of Our preparation for the land of Paradise, and the carving of its rivers, and the planting of its trees. 'So excellent' means: it has resulted in being said in description of Us: 'Excellent are the preparers.' This means: we are, for the perfection of Our power, that nothing descends from the heavens nor springs forth from the earth except by Our will, decree, and choice from eternity. For when We create something, We know what will come of it from the time of its creation until the time of its growth, and nothing of it occurs except by Our decree. And this is a reminder of Paradise and Hell. Whatever is above it in goodness is a sign of Paradise, and whatever is in it of mountains, valleys, ruggedness, and thorny plants is a sign of Hell.