English Translation

Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: 'Allah created the fish — which is the whale — in the sea, and He created the earth upon it, and He placed the mountains upon the earth. The mountains were too heavy for the earth, so the earth began to shake. The angels said: O our Lord! Is there anything in Your creation mightier than the earth? He said: The mountains. They asked: Is there anything mightier than the mountains? He said: Iron. They asked: Is there anything mightier than iron? He said: Fire. They asked: Is there anything mightier than fire? He said: Water. They asked: Is there anything mightier than water? He said: Wind. They asked: Is there anything mightier than wind? He said: The son of Adam — he gives charity with his right hand and hides it from his left.'