His saying, exalted and majestic is He: "And how many a creature does not carry its provision? Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing." "And if you were to ask them who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon, they would surely say, 'Allah.' So how are they deluded?" "Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things." "And if you were to ask them who sends down water from the heavens and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness, they would surely say, 'Allah.' Say, 'Praise is due to Allah.' But most of them do not understand." "How many" means "how much." This verse encourages emigration; because some of the believers thought about the poverty and hunger that would befall them in emigration. They said, "It is a foreign land where we have no home or property, nor anyone to feed us." So He likened them to most of the creatures that are nourished but do not store or seek to preserve their provision. The meaning is: He provides for you. So prefer obedience to Allah, the Exalted, over everything. And His saying: "does not carry" may mean: does not transport or consider storing it, as said by Ibn Mujliz, Mujahid, and Ali ibn al-Aqmar. The judge Abu Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: And storing is not from the character of the certain ones. The Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said to Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both: "How will it be for you when you remain in a state among people who store provisions for a year with weak certainty?" And it may mean: does not take responsibility for its provision nor seeks to preserve it. Then, the Exalted addressed His Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, regarding the disbelievers and establishing the proof against them. If they were to ask about the great matters that are signs of His power, they would have no choice but to submit that they are for Allah, the Exalted. And "they are deluded" means: they are turned away. And He, blessed and exalted, pointed to the creation of the heavens and the earth and the subjugation of the stars, and mentioned their greatness. He pointed to the extension of provision and its restriction for a people, and the sending down of rain from the heavens. These are many lessons for whoever reflects for salvation and the soundest belief. Then, the Exalted commanded His Prophet Muhammad, blessings and peace be upon him, to praise Him in the context of reproaching their minds, and judged that most of them do not understand and show no consideration.