Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty)

19. Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them in the sky except the Most Gracious Lord. Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything.

Birds, by their migrations and soaring in the sky for reaching remote places in the four seasons without any restrictions as to their permanent flight without falling down and collision serve as the Signs of Divine Omnipotence and Glory.

Thus, the blessed Verse in question asks:

“Have they not beheld the birds flying above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in?”

They soar in the sky resisting the law of gravity and easily fly in the sky for hours, and at times weeks and months in rows and find no restriction as to their gentle and speedy flight. Some of them oftentimes spread their wings (safat), as if a secret force puts them to flight.

Some of them flutter permanently and the Arabic verbal form yaqbidhna may imply the same sense. Some birds flutter and then spread their wings. The fourth group, like sparrows, flutter for some time, but when they reach the required speed, they fold in their wings and dive in the air. At any rate, they follow different patterns.

Who has created them such that they may easily soar in the sky? Who has provided them with the power to fly and has trained them to fly, particularly when they fly in flocks that at times it takes months of soaring above numerous lands, forests, mountains, valleys, and seas to reach their destinations?

Thus, the blessed Verse closes by saying that none but the Most Gracious Allah keeps them in the sky, since He is the All-Seer of everything and is All-Aware of the needs of His creatures and accordingly provides them with befitting means and different faculties. It is worthy of note, however, that a detailed discussion regarding the wonders of the world of the birds and their flight is to be found above under 16:79.