Surah Fussilat Tafseer

ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاء وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ

Then He rose over (Istawa ila) towards the heaven when it was smoke,

i.e., steam which arose from it when the earth was created.

فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلَْرْضِ اِيْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا

and said to it and to the earth:"Come both of you willingly or unwillingly."

meaning, `respond to My command and be subjected to this action, willingly or unwillingly.'

قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَايِعِينَ

They both said:"We come willingly."

meaning, `we will respond to You willingly and everything that You want to create in us -- angels, Jinn and men -- will all be obedient to You.