From His Signs are the night and the day

Explanation

His statement: “From His signs are the night and the day the sun and the moon…”

Ayat are of two types:

The First Type: Universal Ayat which you see. Such as the heavens, the earth, the stars, the sun, the moon, the mountains, the trees, and the oceans; (these are all) called signs, because by way of them one gets an indication of their Creator, Glorified and Exalted be He. Due to this, Aboo Al-‘Itaahiyah said:

How strange is it how the Ilah (i.e. Allaah) is disobeyed

Or the insolent one can be insolent towards Him

In everything there is a sign of Him

Indicating that He is One

For Allaah, within every moving and still being

From Mankind, there is a witness

How can one be insolent against Allaah the Majestic and High, and say: “There is no Lord for this entire universe; these created beings came into existence by another creator.” And if they did come into existence with another creator, then who is this Creator other than Allaah the majestic and High; inform me?! You will not find a creator other than Allaah the Glorified and High.

 

أَمْ جَعَلُواْ لِلّهِ شُرَكَاء خَلَقُواْ كَخَلْقِهِ فَتَشَابَهَ الْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ قُلِ اللّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ

Or do they assign to Allaah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.” Say: “Allaah is the Creator of all things, He is the One, the Irresistible.” (Ar-Ra’d 13:16)

 

The Second Type:

Qur’anic Ayat which are recited from the Revelation which was sent down to the Messenger ﷺ. All these are proofs for the Existence of the Lord, Glorified and Exalted be He; for His Perfection, His Attributes, His Names, and that He Alone has the right to be worshipped, there being no partners for Him. All of them indicate that; the universal Ayat and the Qur’anic Ayat.

The universal Ayat indicate their Creator, the One Who brought them into existence; the One who Dictates their Affair. The Qur’anic Ayat contain commands to worship Allaah and they contain confirmation of Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyah (Oneness of Lordship) and Tawheed Al-Uloohiyah (Oneness of Allaah’s Worship) is derived from them as is the command to worship Allaah, the Glorified and High. The entirety of the Qur’aan revolves around this matter and it was revealed for the sake of this affair.

From His signs are the night and the day and the sun and the moon. These are from the greatest of His signs, Glorified and Exalted be He. The dark night which covers this creation and the radiant day which enlightens this creation so that the people spread out engaging in their occupations. The Most High said:

 

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ اللَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَاء أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ ٧١ قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ ٧٢ وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٧٣

Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): “Tell me! If Allaah made night continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an Ilah (a god) besides Allaah who could bring you light? Will you not then hear?” Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): “Tell me! If Allaah made day continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an Ilah (a god) besides Allaah who could bring you night wherein you rest? Will you not then see?” It is out of His Mercy that He has put for you night and day, that you may rest therein (i.e. during the night) and that you may seek of His Bounty (i.e. during the day), and in order that you may be grateful. (Al-Qasas 28:71-73)

This is from the greatest signs of Allaah; this night and this day. The entire time does not consist of night nor does the entire time consist of day. This is because if the affair was like this then the benefits of the servants would be suspended and they will be exhausted.

Allaah has made for them the night and the day following each other in succession. Moreover, the night and the day are organized and neither of them differ nor do they change to the organizational structure of the other. From that which indicates the wisdom of the All-Wise (Glorified and Exalted be He, is that the actions of the servants and their concoctions will be destroyed and become mixed up, whatever they may be, and they will cease. As for the creations of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic, they will not fall apart except at a time wherein Allaah allows for them to fall apart.

So the night and the day run perpetually and neither of them break down; whereas the concoctions of the creation break down, malfunction, and expire; even if they are big and strong.

How many abandoned cars, planes, and trains do you see, whilst they were strong and useful; however, they expired and broke down. Do the night or the day break down? No. This is because their Manufacturer is All-Capable and All-Wise, Majestic and High be He.

صُنْعَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ إِنَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ

The Work of Allaah, Who perfected all things, verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

(An-Naml 27:88)

Translated By: Raha ibn Donald Batts

Source : Yusha Evans