Allah the Exalted said: (And the Moon, We have appointed for it mansions, until it returns like an old, dry date-palm stalk). The question is: What is the old, dry date-palm stalk?

Question:
Allah the Exalted said: The question is: What is the old rope?

Answer:
By the old, dry date-palm stalk, the dried and twisted stalk of the date palm is meant. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, drew attention to the crescent moon by this, because its shape resembles that of the stalk. The moon begins weak, then it increases until it becomes full, then it decreases until it returns to its original state. This is because Allah appointed for it mansions according to the nights of the month, whether 29 or 30 nights. In each night, it is in its mansion; after it is made to appear, it weakens until it becomes like the old, dry date-palm stalk.
This is among the signs of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, and the precision of His craftsmanship, Glorified and Exalted is He, which astounds the minds. This precise system of this universe—its sun, moon, stars, orbits, sky, earth, animals, plants, summer, and winter—Allah appointed for it mansions in order to know the reckoning, as He, the Exalted, said: This is evidence of the power of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, and evidence that these great celestial bodies are created. They have no governance in the universe or influence over events, as the polytheists who worship the sun and moon, or worship the stars besides Allah, Mighty and Majestic, suppose. For this reason, He said: . May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.