Part 23

So everything contains a sign showing that Allaah is one, and I am one of the creation, and my Lord has made it obligatory upon me that I should worship Him alone. Signs (Aayaat plural of Aayah) are that which indicate something and make it clear. Then the signs of Allaah, the Most High, are of two types: signs in creation, and signs in His Revealed way {Sharee'ah). The signs in creation are those things which He created, and the signs in His Revealed way are what is found in His Revelation, which Allaah sent down to His messengers. So the saying of the author, rahimahullaah, 'through His signs and those things which He has created' is an example of mentioning something particular after that which is general. If we explain the signs to mean both the signs in creation and those in the Revelation; or if we take the signs to refer to the signs in the Revelation in particular, then his saying is a case of addition of that which is separate and different from the first thing mentioned. So whichever the case then knowledge of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, is arrived at through His signs in the creation, the tremendous things contained therein which are wondrous creations and clear proofs of perfect wisdom; and likewise through the signs in His Revealed way, and the justice to be seen in it and how it comprises all that is beneficial and repels all that is corrupt. 'And in everything there is a sign for Him, Proving that He is One.' and from his signs are the night and the day, the sun and the moon; and from that which He has created are the seven heavens, and the seven earths, and all those within them, and whatever is between them.'[51] ________________________________________________________ All of these are from Allaah's signs which prove His complete and perfect Power, and complete and perfect wisdom. So the sun is one of Allaah's signs, in its wonderful and well-ordered course which it has followed since Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, created it, and which it will follow until Allaah, the Most High, grants that the universe is destroyed. So this is its appointed course, as Allaah, the Most High, says, "And the sun proceeds upon its fixed course, (for a term appointed) that is the decree of the All-Mighty, the All Wise." [surah Yaa Seen (36):38] Its size and its effects are from the signs of Allaah. As for its size, then it is tremendously great; and as for its effects, then it produces benefit for our bodies, for the trees, the rivers, the oceans and other things besides. So if we consider the sun, this great sign, and the great distance that there is between us and it, yet despite this we feel its great heat. Then consider the light it produces which saves the people huge amounts of wealth in the daylight hours when they have no need of other sources of light, so it is indeed a very great sign, and most people perceive only very few of the signs. Likewise the moon is also from the signs of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and He decreed for it measured stations. Each night it has its particular station, "We have prescribed measured phases for the moon till it returns like an old withered palm-stalk." [surah Yaa Seen (36):39] So it first appears very fine, then its increases stage by stage until it becomes full, then it wanes and returns as it was. It resembles man who begins as something weak, and then increases steadily in strength, and finally again returns to being weak, so exalted is Allaah, the best creator. The proof [52] is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High: ________________________________________________________ i.e. the proof that the day and the night, the sun and the moon are from Allaah's signs is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, "And from His signs are the night and the day." [surah Fussilat (41):37] Meaning that the day and the night are from the very clear signs and proofs of Allaah, both in themselves and how they interchange. Also in the benefits which Allaah has placed in them for the servants, and in their changing states. Likewise with regard to the sun and the moon which are signs both in themselves, and in the courses which they proceed upon. Also in their order and the benefit which they provide for the servants and the harm which that keeps away. Then Allaah, the Most High, forbids the servants from prostrating to the sun or the moon, even though they are very great, yet they are not deserving of and do not have the right to be worshipped, since they are two created things, and the one Who is alone deserving and has the right to worship is Allaah, the Most High, Who created them. "And from His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun, nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allaah who created them, if you truly worship Him" [surah Fussilat (41):37] and His, the Most High's Saying: "Your Lord is Allaah who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then ascended upon the Throne.