The Categories of People with Regard to the Eclipse
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In this eclipse, people are divided into two groups: One category believes in what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, and that this is to frighten the servants; so they are cautious, they fear, they are alarmed, and they turn to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). We ask Allah to make us and you among this category.
-And another category says: These matters are natural and have no effect; rather, the cause of the eclipse is the earth interposing itself between the moon and the sun. So this dark part of the moon is the shadow of the earth, as it interposed itself between it and the sun, just as the shadow of clouds on the earth occurs when they interpose themselves between the sun and the earth. So he says this is a natural matter and it is not for frightening.And he argues for that by saying: People know about the eclipse before it happens, and they determine it by the hour and minute, from its beginning to its middle to its end. So there is no need for us to be alarmed and no need for us to fear. And Allah has sealed their hearts, may Allah protect us from that, so they did not notice the revelation, and they did not notice that the One who decreed this cause is Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
Who is able to make the earth interpose itself between the sun and the moon? Who is able, in a solar eclipse, to make the moon interpose itself between the sun and the earth? Who is able to do this except Allah (Mighty and Majestic)? So if He decrees it, He only decrees it for a wisdom, which is to frighten the servants. And the believing person of sound mind is able to combine the legislative cause and the cosmic cause.And that is because the eclipse has two causes: The first cause: frightening: frightening the servants when sins become numerous and disobedience settles upon the hearts. We ask Allah for safety.
And the second cause: The cosmic decree: and this is what people mention, that the cause of the eclipse is the moon interposing itself between the sun and the earth, and the cause of the lunar eclipse is the earth interposing itself between the sun and the moon. And it is not impossible that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) makes natural causes to frighten the servants. Have you not seen the lightning and the floods? Do they have cosmic, decreed causes?
Yes.
They have cosmic, decreed causes, but who created these causes?Allah (Mighty and Majestic) created them to frighten the servants with them: [Surah al-Ra'd: 12-13].
Therefore: Our hearts must be broad enough to encompass the cosmic cause, which is the decreed one, and the legislative cause.And we say: Allah the Exalted decrees these causes in order to frighten the servants.
-And another category says: These matters are natural and have no effect; rather, the cause of the eclipse is the earth interposing itself between the moon and the sun. So this dark part of the moon is the shadow of the earth, as it interposed itself between it and the sun, just as the shadow of clouds on the earth occurs when they interpose themselves between the sun and the earth. So he says this is a natural matter and it is not for frightening.And he argues for that by saying: People know about the eclipse before it happens, and they determine it by the hour and minute, from its beginning to its middle to its end. So there is no need for us to be alarmed and no need for us to fear. And Allah has sealed their hearts, may Allah protect us from that, so they did not notice the revelation, and they did not notice that the One who decreed this cause is Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
Who is able to make the earth interpose itself between the sun and the moon? Who is able, in a solar eclipse, to make the moon interpose itself between the sun and the earth? Who is able to do this except Allah (Mighty and Majestic)? So if He decrees it, He only decrees it for a wisdom, which is to frighten the servants. And the believing person of sound mind is able to combine the legislative cause and the cosmic cause.And that is because the eclipse has two causes: The first cause: frightening: frightening the servants when sins become numerous and disobedience settles upon the hearts. We ask Allah for safety.
And the second cause: The cosmic decree: and this is what people mention, that the cause of the eclipse is the moon interposing itself between the sun and the earth, and the cause of the lunar eclipse is the earth interposing itself between the sun and the moon. And it is not impossible that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) makes natural causes to frighten the servants. Have you not seen the lightning and the floods? Do they have cosmic, decreed causes?
Yes.
They have cosmic, decreed causes, but who created these causes?Allah (Mighty and Majestic) created them to frighten the servants with them:
(12) It is He who shows you lightening, [causing] fear and aspiration, and generates the heavy clouds. (13) And the thunder exalts [Allah] with praise of Him - and the angels [as well] from fear of Him - and He sends thunderbolts and strikes therewith whom He wills while they dispute about Allah; and He is severe in assault.
هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفاً وَطَمَعاً وَيُنْشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ * وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ الصَّوَاعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَهُمْ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي اللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ الْمِحَالِTherefore: Our hearts must be broad enough to encompass the cosmic cause, which is the decreed one, and the legislative cause.And we say: Allah the Exalted decrees these causes in order to frighten the servants.