16:13
And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).
In Anwar al-Bayan, the diversity of creation on earth is described as a sign of divine wisdom, emphasizing that the various colors and types of creation serve human needs, including sustenance, shelter, and healing (Anwar al-Bayan, vol. 5, p. 180). Qur’anic verse 2:22 further presents the earth as a place prepared for humanity and the sky as a structured canopy, highlighting God’s role as the provider of rain and sustenance. Annotated interpretations explain that such verses affirm the principle of tawḥīd (Divine Oneness) by portraying God as the sole Creator, Sustainer, and object of worship. Natural phenomena—such as the earth’s stability, the sky’s structure, and the growth of vegetation—are presented as observable signs that support belief in God’s unity and lordship (Abd-Allah, The Qur’an with Annotated Interpretation, p. 66, note 17; Abd-Allah, 323 Verses on Science in the Quran).
The Qur’an reinforces this monotheistic message in verse 2:163, which declares the absolute unity of God and His attributes of compassion and mercy. Muslim belief views the Qur’an as the final revelation confirming earlier scriptures, including the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel, and invites comparison with biblical declarations of monotheism such as Deuteronomy 6:4 and Mark 12:29. The historical background (asbāb al-nuzūl) of verses 2:163–164 indicates that challenges from skeptics led to further revelations directing attention to natural signs as evidence of divine unity. Verse 2:164 enumerates these signs, including the alternation of night and day, the movement of ships, rainfall, the revival of the earth, biodiversity, shifting winds, and cloud formation, all presented as indicators for reflective individuals.
Muhammad Asad interprets this passage as an appeal to rational contemplation, arguing that the Qur’an repeatedly invites people to observe natural phenomena and human achievements as manifestations of a conscious creative power governing the universe (Asad, The Message of the Qur’an, p. 53, note 130). Similarly, Ghulam Ahmad Pervez emphasizes that reflection on the order and functioning of the cosmos—such as seasonal winds, ecological cycles, and technological progress—demonstrates that creation operates under coherent divine laws. According to Pervez, such reflection leads thoughtful individuals to recognize the existence of a single omnipotent Creator who governs the universe through consistent principles (Pervez, Exposition of the Qur’an, p. 72).
References:
Abd-Allah, Muhamed. 323 Verses on Science in the Quran . Kindle Edition.
Asad, Muhammad (1980). The Message of the Quran.
Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 63). Unknown.
Kindle Edition.
Emerick, Yahiya. The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Today’s English (p. 829). Unknown.Kindle Edition.
Madani, Muhammad. Anwar ul Bayan. (vol. 5 p. 180). Tafseer Anwar-ul-Bayan (English)
Pervez,Ahmad. Exposition of the Quran.
Unal, Ali (2006). The Quran with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English.