35 Preface أَم خُلِقوا مِن غَيرِ شَيءٍ أَم هُمُ الخالِقونَYusuf AliWere they created of nothing,1 or were they themselves the creators?Were they created of nothing? Three possible alternative meanings are suggested by the Commentators, according to the meaning we give to the Arabic preposition min = of, by, with, for. (1) 'Were they created by nothing? Did they come into existence of themselves? Was it a mere chance that they came into being? (2) Were they created as men out of nothing? Was there not a wonderful seed, from which their material growth can be traced, as the handiwork of a wise and wonderful Creator? Must they not then seek His Will? (3) Were they created for nothing, to no purpose? If they were created for a purpose, must they not try to learn that purpose by understanding God’s Revelation?