He makes it like sand, then He sends upon it the winds, which scatter it as food is scattered. So it leaves it as a flat expanse. In the authentic reports, both 'flat expanse' and 'level' mean the same, as if 'level' is an affirmation. (A) That is, it leaves its locations and centers. Or the pronoun may refer to the earth even though it has not been mentioned, as in His saying: 'He left not upon its back any creature.' If you say: They have distinguished between 'crookedness' and 'crookedness,' saying: 'crookedness' with a kasra (the vowel mark) refers to meanings, while 'crookedness' with a fatha (the vowel mark) refers to physical things, and the earth is a physical thing, so how is it correct for it to have a kasra? I say: The choice of this word has a beautiful and unique significance in describing the earth as level and smooth, and in negating crookedness from it in the most eloquent manner. That is, if you were to take a piece of land and level it, and you exerted yourself in leveling it in front of your eyes and the eyes of the knowledgeable farmers, and you all agreed that there was no crookedness left in it at all, then you sought the opinion of the engineer regarding it and commanded him to measure its level according to engineering standards, he would find crookedness in places that cannot be perceived by the sense of sight but by engineering measurement. So Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, negated that subtle and fine crookedness from perception, except by the measurement known to the one who understands estimation and engineering. This crookedness, since it is only perceived by measurement and not by sensation, is thus related to meanings, and it was said of it: 'crookedness' with a kasra. 'Al-ummat': the slight protrusion, it is said: 'He stretched his rope until there was no protrusion in it.'