Is it, then, they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? We have allocated their livelihood among them in the life of the world and have raised some of them above others in rank so that some of them are subservient to others. But the mercy of your Lord is better than anything they amass. (Surat az-Zukhruf, 43:32)
Trees that have lived in the Amazon for hundreds of years, a herd of penguins living on a remote glacier-surrounded island, a 30-year-old cactus in the desert, ants feeding on the mushrooms they grow on a garden of rainforest leaves, and an army of living beings that have existed for millions of years… All living beings need nourishment. Some desperately need water, whereas some others can survive without water for years. Some like hot weather, while others cannot survive in such a climate even for a minute. Furthermore, for all these living beings to remain together on this planet, many conditions have to exist at the same time. Allah, the Creator of all living beings, provides for each living being's needs separately and from the same soil.
Allah manifests His infinite compassion and mercy by meeting the needs of all that exists and allocating His mercy among all living beings. Allah created various blessings for our survival and provides for all of our needs. Indeed, Allah calls attention to this important fact:
He has given you everything you have asked Him for. If you tried to number Allah's blessings, you could never count them. Man is indeed wrongdoing, ungrateful. (Surah Ibrahim, 14:34)
