He intended by creating them from the earth to create their origin, which is Adam, peace be upon him, from it. It is said that the angel goes forth and takes from the soil of the place where he will be buried, then scatters it over the sperm, creating from the soil and the sperm together. He meant by bringing them out from it that He composes their scattered parts mixed with the soil, and returns them as they were alive, and brings them forth to the gathering on the Day they will emerge from the graves quickly. Allah enumerated for them what is attached to the earth of their provisions, where He made it a bedding and a resting place for them to turn upon, and He leveled for them pathways in it to move about as they wish. He caused to grow in it various types of plants, which are their food and fodder for their animals, and it is their origin from which they branched out, and their mother from which they were born. Then it is their resting place when they die. [The saying 'then it is their resting place when they die' means the place where they are gathered.] The authentic reports indicate this. And for that reason, the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said, 'Wipe the earth, for it is blessed for you.' [This was narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah from Aliah from Awf from Ibn Uthman as a disconnected report. It was also narrated by Al-Tabarani in the small collection from the narration of Al-Firyani from Al-Thawri from Awf. It was connected with the mention of Sulayman; Ibn Tahir said: the disconnected report is more correct.]