Surah Yunus (10) — Ayah 5

(Ayah 5) ➊ The word 'ḍiyā’an' is from {هُوَ الَّذِيْ جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَآءً …: ’’ ضِيَآءً ‘‘ ’’ ضَاءَ يَضُوْءُ ضَوْءً ا وَ ضِيَاءً‘‘} and is a verbal noun like {’’ قِيَامًا ‘‘}; some say it is the plural of {’’ ضَوْءٌ‘‘}, just as the plural of {’’ سَوْطٌ‘‘} is {’’سِيَاطٌ‘‘}, meaning He made the sun {’’ذَاتَ ضِيَاءٍ‘‘} with intense brightness and the moon {’’ذَا نُوْرٍ‘‘} with light, then by omitting {’’ذَاتَ‘‘} and {’’ذَا‘‘} for emphasis, He declared the sun to be entirely radiant and the moon to be entirely luminous. The difference between ḍiyā’ and nūr is the same as the difference between the sun’s intense and hot light and the moon’s calm light. For the movement and stillness of humans and the universe, the sun and moon are as necessary as day and night.

➋ {وَ قَدَّرَهٗ مَنَازِلَ …:} means He appointed phases for the moon, so that it decreases and increases every day. Although the sun also has appointed phases, which will be mentioned in the next verse, the moon’s daily changing appearance through twenty-eight phases, then hiding for one or two days and rising anew, makes it easier and more practical for determining dates, months, and years. Therefore, all the rulings of the Shariah, such as Hajj, fasting, and expiation, are also related to it. See the commentary of «{ يَسْـَٔلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الْاَهِلَّةِ }» [ البقرۃ : ۱۸۹ ].

➌ { مَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ ذٰلِكَ اِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ …:} means Allah Almighty did not create all this in vain or without purpose. This detail is for those who possess knowledge and understanding, because those without knowledge and understanding do not benefit from the mention of these signs of Allah Almighty.

5. 1 Ḍiyā’ is synonymous with ḍaw’. The annexed word here is omitted: dhāt ḍiyā’ wa-l-qamar dhā nūr, He made the sun radiant and the moon luminous. Or, it can be taken as hyperbole, as if they themselves are ḍiyā’ and nūr. After mentioning the creation of the heavens and the earth and their management, as an example, some other things are being mentioned which are related to the management of the universe, in which the sun and the moon hold fundamental importance. Every conscious person is aware of how indispensable the sun’s heat, warmth, and its light are. Similarly, the pleasure and benefits of the moon’s luminosity are also self-evident. The sages believe that the sun’s light is intrinsic, and the moon’s luminosity is derived from the sun’s light (Fatḥ al-Qadīr).

5. 2 That is, We have fixed the stages of the moon’s course. By these stages is meant the distance it covers in one night and one day with its specific movement or course; these are 28 stages. Each night it reaches one stage, in which there is never any error. In the first stage, it appears small and thin, then gradually becomes larger until on the fourteenth night or the fourteenth stage it becomes complete (full moon). After that, it starts shrinking and thinning again until, in the end, it remains hidden for one or two nights. Then it rises again as a crescent. The benefit of this is stated: so that you may know the count of years and calculation. That is, from these stages and the movement of the moon, months and years are formed, which make it easy for you to calculate everything. That is, a year is of 12 months, a month is of 29 or 30 days, a day is of 24 hours, i.e., night and day. In the days of equinox, there are 12 hours each, and in winter and summer, they are more or less. Besides, not only worldly benefits and businesses are linked to these lunar stages, but religious benefits are also obtained. From this rising of the crescent, the determination of Hajj, fasting in Ramadan, the sacred months, and other acts of worship is made, which a believer observes.

5. He is the One Who made the sun a radiant light [7] and the moon a light, and determined phases for the moon [8] so that you may know the number of years and the calculation of time [9]. Allah has created all this for a true purpose [10]. He explains His signs in detail for people who have knowledge.

[7]
The Difference Between Ḍiyā’ and Nūr:

The difference between ḍiyā’ and nūr is that the word nūr is general, while ḍiyā’ is specific. In other words, ḍiyā’ is also a type of nūr. Nūr contains light and brightness, whereas ḍiyā’ contains, in addition to light and brightness, heat, warmth, and a reddish hue in its color. The Noble Quran generally uses the word ḍiyā’ for the light of the sun and the word nūr for the light of the moon.

[8]
The Phases of the Moon:

According to the Ptolemaic theory of astronomy, astronomers have designated twenty-eight lunar mansions for the moon in the sky. In the era of the Prophet ﷺ, this astronomical theory was widely accepted and taught in educational institutions. Therefore, even if these same 28 phases are intended in this verse, there is no harm. However, most scholars interpret the “manāzil al-qamar” as the shapes of the moon, and their reasoning is derived from another verse
﴿ وَالْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنٰهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتّيٰ عَادَ كَالْعُرْجُوْنِ الْقَدِيْمِ﴾ [36: 39]
in which, at the end, the crescent (the new or first night’s moon) is mentioned.

[9]
The Lunar Calendar and Its Characteristics:

From this, it is understood that the lunar calendar is the true calendar, not the solar one. Therefore, wherever the counting of a month or a period longer than that is required, from the perspective of Islamic law, it will be according to the lunar calendar, such as the days of ‘iddah and breastfeeding, the determination of periods in contracts, etc. Also, the rulings of Islam, such as Hajj, fasting, the sacred months, and the two Eids, are all connected to the lunar calendar. The prominent characteristics of the lunar calendar are that it is a simple and natural calendar, free from human interference (such as intercalation and its various types). The number of days in a month cannot be changed in it; the year will always have twelve months, and the principle of equality and universality for all people of the world is operative in it, and worldly customs and motives cannot influence it. (For further details, see my book ﴿الشمس والقمر بحسبان﴾.)

[10]
The Benefits of the Movement of the Sun and the Moon:

That is, the movement of the sun and the moon according to a fixed calculation is not meaningless; rather, it has many benefits. The first benefit is that you can determine the times of prayers and business hours from the movement of the sun, and when the period to be counted is less than a month, this period can be determined by the sun or the moon. However, when this period is more than a month, its calculation will be according to the moon, whose division is protected from human interference. In this way, you can keep track of periods for centuries. The second benefit is that the system of the movement of the sun, moon, and other stars is so interconnected, organized, and obedient to the command of Allah that even a moment’s advancement or delay is impossible. In this way, you can also prepare calendars for centuries to come. And the third, most important and real benefit is that you should reflect on the power and authority of the Being who created these things and bound them in their orbits in such a way, and see that the Being who can accomplish such magnificent feats—can He not create you again? This, in effect, is a second argument for the Resurrection.