{And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that which is between them in vain}, meaning: We did not create them except for the Resurrection, the Reckoning, Paradise, and the Fire. The polytheists used to say: "Indeed, God created these things for a purpose other than resurrection." He said: {That is the assumption of those who disbelieved}, that they will not be resurrected and that God created these things in vain.
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالأَرْضَ وَمَا بَينهمَا بَاطِلا﴾ أَي: مَا خلقناهما إِلَّا للبعث والحساب , وَالْجنَّة وَالنَّار، وَكَانَ الْمُشْركُونَ يَقُولُونَ: إِن اللَّه خلق هَذِه الْأَشْيَاء لغير بعثٍ. قَالَ: ﴿ذَلِكَ ظن الَّذين كفرُوا﴾ أَنهم لَا يبعثون وأنّ اللَّه خَالق هَذِه الْأَشْيَاء بَاطِلا
