Islamic World

The Quran has considerable benefits and one of the most impressive ones is the statement of the Sun, the Moon, and the Lights all made by Allah. Allah has given us numerous blessings and night and day are some of the blessings that stand out the most. All of it is mentioned in the Quran in Allah’s words so that we can pay heed and take note and learn about the circle of this world so that we may observe the right path.

The Qur'an also states that Allah created the sun,, and the planets, each with their own individual courses or orbits. "It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun; all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course" (21:33).

Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from’Aishah that the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“The sun and the moon are two signs from among Allah’s signs and there is no eclipse due to the life or death of anyone. If you see that [an eclipse] [lunar or solar] supplicate to Allah, extol His greatness, give charity and pray.”

They also record from Abu Musa that there was a solar eclipse and the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:
“If you see something of this nature, rush to the remembrance of Allah, supplicating Him and asking His forgiveness.”

Allah says in the Quran, “It is He who made the sun a bright light and the moon a emanated  light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for people who know.” (10:5)

In the above verse of the Quran Allah is telling us beautifully how the things of the universe that He alone has created have helped us and will help us in our future. Allah says that the sun and the moon can tell us about the day and night and about the start of a day and the end of a day. Muslims can determine the length of days through the sun and in turn determine the length of the months and years. Allah has given us this convenience of trying to understand how the sun and moon work by telling us this specifically in the Quran, making the book the complete source of guidance.

Allah says in the Quran about the signs that night and day and light and darkness have on us” Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men of understanding. (3:190).

Allah has specifically told us in the Quran that on the day the sun comes out, we are to carry out all our work. During the day we can see and hence can do all our chores. In the same way, Allah has asked us to rest and sleep at night. These are vivid signs for the believer. The manners in which the constellations and galaxies and sun and moon operate in phases are signs for us, sometimes giving us a day and sometimes giving us night. We are to study these phases and find out the number of months, and years and make calendars but it also enables us to make plans about our lives and use the Quran as guidance to do so. We must read the word of Allah in the Quran and try to understand the meaning it has for us, specifically the workings of the galaxies and planets and the Milky Way. May Allah give us the power and knowledge for us to understand its workings IA.