Tirmidhi

Hadith Commentary:
This hadith has already been mentioned above.
From this hadith, it is derived that the sun moves and the earth is stationary, as was the view of the earlier philosophers. And it is possible that by "movement" is meant the apparent movement of the sun as it seems to move, but in that case, the phrase "returns" would not fit well.
Another doubt in this hadith is that, due to the difference in regions and countries, the rising and setting of the sun is happening at every moment; thus, it would be necessary that the sun is prostrating and seeking permission at every moment.
The answer to this is that indeed, at every moment, it is rising in one region and setting in another, and at every moment, it is a worshipper and seeker of Allah Ta’ala’s command.
There is nothing far-fetched in this.
By "prostration" here, a physical prostration like that of a human is not meant; rather, it is a prostration of subjugation and state, i.e., obedience to the commands of Allah (qudrah).
In another narration, it is mentioned that it prostrates beneath the Throne (‘Arsh).
This too is absolutely correct.
It is thus known that the Throne of the Lord is also spherical, and the sun is situated beneath it from every direction, because the Throne is at the center of the entire universe and encompasses the whole universe.
Now, this objection remains:
In "fa innaha tadhhabu li tasjudu tahta al-‘arsh" (for indeed it goes and prostrates beneath the Throne), what meaning remains for "until"?
The answer to this is that "until" here is for reasoning (ta‘lil), i.e., it moves for this reason: so that it may always remain prostrate beneath the Throne and obedient to the commands of Allah (qudrah).
Note:
The assumptions of scientists and geographers keep changing day by day; we should have faith in this: that the sun moves and also prostrates; the manner (kayfiyyah) Allah Ta’ala knows best.
(Mahmood al-Hasan Asad)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In one narration it is stated:
“The sun goes and prostrates beneath the Throne (‘Arsh), then seeks permission, and it is granted permission to rise. Soon a time will come when it will prostrate, but its prostration will not be accepted, and when it seeks permission to rise, it will not be granted permission. It will be told: ‘Return from where you came.’
At that time, it will rise from the west.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
(وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِي لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَهَا ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ) (Ya-Sin: 36:38)
‘And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.’”
➋
In another narration it is stated:
“The course of the sun is beneath the Throne (‘Arsh).”
➌
Two points are understood from this hadith:
© The theory of scientists is that the rotation of the sun and other planets is the result of gravitation (the force by which the earth attracts all objects towards itself) and centrifugal force (the force produced by rotation, felt by every rotating body, and it acts in the direction opposite to the center of rotation). However, from this hadith it is understood that the reason for the planets not colliding in their orbits is that this system is under the control of Allah, the Wise and the All-Aware.
All these celestial bodies are rotating under the command of Allah Ta‘ala, and there is no increase or decrease in their appointed orbits.
© Before the Day of Judgment, a time will come when the system of the rotation of these planets will be overturned, and the sun will rise from the west instead of the east.
After that, the system of the universe will be struck by a great explosion, and the earth and the heavens will collide and be destroyed.
From this hadith, the greatness, loftiness, and vastness of Allah Ta‘ala’s Throne (‘Arsh) is understood—that not only the sun, but every single thing in the universe is beneath His Throne and is prostrating before Allah, and is engaged in performing the service assigned to it by Allah Ta‘ala.
In Sahih Muslim, the hadith has come in more detail than in Sahih Bukhari, with the following words:
Hazrat Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu says that one day the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Do you know where this sun goes?” The Companions said:
Allah and His Messenger know best.
He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“It continues to move until it reaches its resting place beneath the Throne (‘Arsh), where it falls in prostration.
Then it remains in that state until it is ordered to rise, and it is said: ‘Return to where you came from.’
It returns and rises from its place of rising, then continues to move until it reaches its resting place beneath the Throne and prostrates. Then it remains in that state until it is told: ‘Rise and return to where you came from.’
It rises as usual from the east.
People do not notice any change in its movement until a day will come
when it will come to its resting place beneath the Throne, and it will be told:
‘Rise and emerge from the west.’ Then it will rise from the west.”
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Do you know when this will happen? It will be at that time when the faith of one who had not previously believed will not benefit him, and the good deeds of one who had not done good deeds before attaining faith will also not benefit him.”
(Sahih Muslim, Al-Iman, Hadith: 399 (159))
In the Noble Qur’an, besides the sun, the prostration of the moon, stars, mountains, and other things is also mentioned.
The reality of this prostration is best known to Allah Ta‘ala; we should only have faith in it.
And Allah knows best.

� Understanding of the Hadith:
The rising of the sun from the west is one of the ten major signs of the Day of Judgment. These ten signs are: the emergence of Dajjal, the appearance of Mahdi, the descent of ‘Isa (alayhis salam), the emergence of Ya’juj and Ma’juj, the appearance of smoke, the emergence of Dabbatul-Ard, the rising of the sun from the west, three sinkings of the earth, the appearance of fire, and only the worst of people remaining. In one narration, along with the rising of the sun from the west, two other signs are also mentioned: when these appear, no one’s faith will benefit them. These two signs are the appearance of smoke and the emergence of Dabbatul-Ard. [مسلم : كتاب الايمان : باب بيان الزمن الذى لا يقبل فيه الايمان : 396]

Hadith Commentary:
In this hadith, the deniers of hadith have raised several objections. One is that the sun does not go beneath the earth nor beneath the Throne (‘Arsh). And in another narration, this subject is present: *taghrubu fi ‘aynin hami’ah* (“it sets in a muddy spring”). Secondly, since the earth and the heavens are spherical, the sun is always beneath the Throne. Then what is the meaning of it going specifically at the time of sunset? Thirdly, the sun is an inanimate and unintelligent body—what is the meaning of its prostration and of it seeking permission? Fourthly, most philosophers have observed that the earth is in motion and the sun is stationary, so what is the meaning of the sun’s movement?

The answer to the first objection is that since the earth is spherical, in every way it is beneath the Throne; therefore, at the time of sunset, it can be said that the sun has gone beneath the earth and beneath the Throne.

The answer to the second objection is that, indeed, at every point and every location, the sun is beneath the Throne, and it is always prostrating to its Master and seeking permission to proceed. However, since the west and east are different for the people of every land, the times of rising and setting have been specified.

The answer to the third objection is: from where is it known that the sun is inanimate and unintelligent? From many verses and hadiths, it is established that the sun, the moon, the earth, and the heavens all possess a soul in their own degree.

The answer to the fourth objection is that many philosophers also hold the view that the earth is stationary and the sun revolves around it, and in this matter, the arguments of both sides are conflicting. And from the apparent meaning of the Qur’an and hadith, it is the movement of the sun, moon, and stars that is indicated.

(Summarized from Wahidi)

In the noble verse: ﴿wa-sh-shamsu tajri li-mustaqarrin lahaa﴾ (Yasin: 38), by “mustaqarr” is meant the cessation of the world’s existence, i.e., “until the cessation of the duration of the world.” As for his statement, “its resting place is beneath the Throne,” it is not impossible that it has a passage beneath the Throne in a manner we do not comprehend nor witness, and it is only information about the unseen, so we neither deny it nor ask how (bi-la kayf), because our knowledge does not encompass it.

End of the words of al-Tibi.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Two points are understood from this hadith.
(➊)
The movement of the sun, and likewise the movement of other celestial bodies, is not merely the result of gravitational attraction; rather, over the celestial bodies and their systems, there is the mighty control of Allah, the All-Wise and All-Aware, such that neither do they collide with each other nor is there any deficiency or excess in their appointed orbits, and all these celestial bodies are revolving under the command of Allah.
(➋)
Before the Day of Judgment, a time will come when the sun will rise from the west, and after that, the system of the universe will be disrupted.
Today, Western nations are searching for the center of gravity and the axis of rotation.
It is possible that they may find some clue to it and, by controlling it, may be able to stop the earth’s rotation for some time, and when, after controlling it, they release it, the earth will gradually resume its original rotation.
In such circumstances, one day could be equal to a year, and this will happen at the time of the coming of the Dajjal.
2.
Today, people influenced by the West object to the sun’s rising and setting, and to its prostrating beneath the Throne and then seeking permission to rise again, saying: “The sun is stationary in its place, and what we see as rising and setting is merely due to the earth’s axial rotation.” They object that the sun is stationary in its place, and what we see as rising and setting is merely due to the earth’s axial rotation. This objection is extremely superficial, because Allah’s Throne is so vast that, let alone the sun, every single thing in the universe is beneath His Throne and is prostrating before Him. In any case, at every moment the sun is beneath the Throne, and it is at all times prostrating to its Master and seeking permission to move forward.
Since the east and west of every country are different, the time of rising and setting has been specified.
And Allah knows best.

The renowned hadith scholar of the fourth century and Imam al-Khattabi rahimahullah
Abu Sulayman Hamd ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Khattab al-Busti, known as al-Khattabi
(319–388 AH = 931–998 CE)
«لا ينكر أن يكون لها استقرار تحت العرش، من حيث لا ندركه ولا نشاهده، وإنما هو خبر عن غيب، فلا نكذب به، ولا نكيفه ؛ لأن علمنا لا يحيط به " انتهى من» [أعلام الحديث شرح صحيح البخاري " ص/1893]
Translation:
It cannot be denied that the resting place (mustaqarr) of the sun is beneath the Throne (‘Arsh), in such a manner that neither have we seen the reality of this resting, nor do we comprehend it. This is a report of the unseen (ghayb) that has reached us from the Prophet, which we cannot deny, nor can we describe its modality (kayfiyyah), because we have no knowledge of its modality. [اعلام الحديث شرح صحيح بخاري]

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
Every particle and everything in this universe is in prostration before Allah. In Surah Al-Hajj, it is stated:
﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ وَالنُّجُومُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ﴾ (Al-Hajj: 18)
"Do you not know that to Allah prostrate all those who are in the heavens and all those who are on the earth, and the sun and the moon, and the stars and the mountains, and the trees and the animals."
The prostration of each thing is according to its status and position. Likewise, its language and glorification are according to its position. Allah, exalted is He, understands the language of every thing, and every thing understands His command.
The Throne (‘Arsh) is above the entire universe; wherever anything may be, it is beneath the Throne. And nothing can move without His permission. The rising and setting of the sun are also dependent on His permission, and its setting is its becoming hidden from the eyes, and its rising is its coming before the eyes.
As long as Allah wills to keep this world established, this system will continue. And when it is willed that the system of this world be disrupted, then the sun will rise from the west instead of the east, which will be a sign of the end of this world and the establishment of the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamah).

Explanation:
1:
The well-known recitation is: ﴿وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِي لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَا ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ﴾ (Ya-Sin: 38)

Benefits and Issues:
This hadith is authentic in its chain of narration, and in Surah Al-Kahf, verse 82, the (ʿayn—next word is not being written) has a second recitation (ʿayn—next word is not being written).
(See the previous narration: 3986)

«قال الشيخ الألباني: صحيح الإسناد​»
Shaykh Nasiruddin al-Albani rahimahullah has declared it authentic.

The renowned and reliable scholar of Saudi Arabia and professor at the University of Madinah, Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin bin Hamad al-Abbad, says in his commentary on Sunan Abi Dawud:
«قال: (تغرب فى عين حامية) وهذه قراءة أيضاً متواترة، وفي القراءة التى سبق أن مرت: (عين حمئة)، وهى التى فى المصحف الذى بين أيدينا، والمقصود من ذلك أنها فى نهايتها، فعندما يكون الإنسان فى نهاية الأرض فإنه يراها ر أى العين كأنها تسقط فى البحر، ومعلوم أنها تدور فى فلكها، وهى تغيب عن أناس وتظهر على أناس، لا أنها تغادر وتبقى الدنيا كلها فى ظلام دامس لا وجود لها، بل إنها تكون موجودة، ولكنها تغيب عن أناس وتظهر على أناس، كما هو الواقع المشاهد وكما هو معلوم من قبل .....»
Translation: In this hadith, the words of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that (the sun sets in a hot spring) are also from the mutawatir (mass-transmitted) recitation, just as it was mentioned earlier that the words of this verse from Surah al-Kahf in our present Mushaf are (عين حمئة) (a muddy spring).

And what is meant by this phrase is that if a person is at the edge of the earth, that is, with the sea in front of him, then at sunset it appears as if the sun is sinking into the sea.

Whereas it is well known that the sun is revolving in its orbit, and while it is hidden from the sight of some people, at the same time it is appearing (rising) before others. That is, it does not set in such a way that it suddenly disappears from the whole world, plunging the entire world into darkness and the sun ceasing to exist in this world. In short, it remains continuously present; yes, it becomes hidden from the sight of some people and visible to others, as is a perceptible and observable reality.

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And this same hadith is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari (3199) in these words:
«عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ هُرَيْرَةَقَالَ قَال النَّبِيُّ (صلي الله عليه وآله وسلم) لأَبِي ذَرٍّ حينَ غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ تَدْرِي أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا تَذْهَبُ حَتَّي تَسْجُدَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ، فَتَسْتَأْذِنَ فَيُؤْذَنَ لَهَا، وَيُوشِكُ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ فَلاَ يُقْبَلُ مِنْهَا، وَتَسْتَأْذِنَ فَلاَ يُؤْذَنُ لَهَا، يُقَالُ لَهَا ارْجِعِي مِنْ حَيْثُ جِءْتِ فَتَطْلُعُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا، فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالٰي (وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِي لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَهَا ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ)» [رواه البخاري : باب صِفَةِ الشَّمْسِ وَالْقَمَرِ]
“Sayyiduna Abu Dharr radi Allahu anhu reports that the Noble Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Do you know where the sun goes when it sets?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) know best.’ He said, ‘It goes and prostrates beneath the Throne and seeks permission, and it is granted permission. Soon it will prostrate, but its prostration will not be accepted. It will seek permission to rise, but it will not be granted permission. It will be commanded: Return from where you came, and so it will rise from the west. This is the statement of Allah, “The sun runs to its resting place.” (You, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said:) Its resting place is beneath the Throne.’”

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Where does the sun set?
﴿حتى اِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِبَ الشَّمْسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُبُ فِيْ عَيْنٍ حَمِئَةٍ﴾ [سورة الكهف 86]
“Dhul-Qarnayn set out on a journey until he reached the place where the sun sets, and he found it setting in a muddy spring.”

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Imam Ibn Kathir rahimahullah writes in the commentary of this verse:
«وقوله: {وجدها تغرب فى عين حمئة} أي: رأى الشمس فى منظره تغرب فى البحر المحيط، وهذا شأن كل من انتهى إلى ساحله، يراها كأنها تغرب فيه، وهى لا تفارق الفلك الرابع الذى هي مثبتة فيه لا تفارقه (7) .
والحمئة مشتقة على إحدى القراءتين (8) من "الحمأة" وهو الطين، كما قال تعالى: {إني خالق بشرا من صلصال من حمإ مسنون} [الحجر: 28] أي: طين أملس (9) . وقد تقدم بيانه.
وقال ابن جرير: حدثني يونس، أخبرنا ابن وهب (10) حدثني نافع بن أبى نعيم، سمعت عبد الرحمن الأعرج يقول: كان ابن عباس يقول (11) {في عين حمئة} ثم فسرها: ذات حمأة. قال نافع: وسئل عنها كعب الأحبار فقال: أنتم أعلم بالقرآن مني، ولكني أجدها فى الكتاب تغيب فى طينة سوداء (12) .
وكذا روى غير واحد عن ابن عباس، وبه قال مجاهد وغير واحد. :»
(When Dhul-Qarnayn traveled) and reached the farthest west, he saw the scene as if the sun was setting in the encircling ocean. Whoever stands at the shore of a sea and watches the sun set will see, apparently, the same scene before him, as if the sun is sinking into the water. Whereas the sun is on the fourth heaven and never departs from it. «حَمِئَۃٍ» Either it is derived from «حماۃ» meaning “clay” or “mud.” The Qur’anic verse ﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَٰلِقُۢ بَشَرًا مِّن صَلْصَٰلٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ﴾ [15-الحجر:28]
has already explained this. This is the meaning stated by Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma, and Sayyiduna Ka‘b rahimahullah used to say: “You are more knowledgeable of the Qur’an than us, but I see in the Book that it disappears into black mud.”

In one recitation, it is «فِيْ عَيْنٍ حَامِيَةِ», meaning “he found it setting in a hot spring.” Both recitations are well-known and both are correct, whichever recitation is read, and there is no difference in their meaning, because due to the sun’s nearness, the water, the hot air, and the black color of the soil there, its water would appear muddy.