We have made whatever exists on the earth its adornment to test and try them (and) know who acts better;
7
Tafseer
'Abdullāh Ibn 'Abbās / Muḥammad al-Fīrūzabādī
تفسير : (lo! we have placed all that is in the earth) of male and female (as an ornament thereof) as an embellishment for the earth (that we may try them) that we may test them: (which of them is best in conduct) which of them is more sincere in works. it is also said that this means: we have made all that which is on earth of plants, trees, beasts, and comfort an ornament for the earth so that we test them which of them is more unattached to, and shunning of, this world.
Jalāl al-Dīn al-Maḥallī
تفسير : truly we have made all that is on the earth, in the way of animals, plants, trees, rivers and so on, as an adornment for it, that we may try them, that we may test mankind observing thereby, which of them is best in conduct, therein, that is, [to see which of them] is the most abstemious of it.
Sahl al-Tustari
تفسير : …that we may try them, as to which of them is best in conduct. he said:that is, as to which of them is best in their relinquishing of this world and all that leads to distraction (ishtighāl) from god, exalted is he, and in their humbling themselves (ikhbāt) before us, their tranquil reliance (sukūn) on us, their complete trust (tawakkul) in us, and their advancing (iqbāl) towards us.he was asked about his word:
