يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ
Appears 2 times in Quran
Occurrences in Quran
Found 2 verses containing "يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ".
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
13:4; 36:38.
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
اَيَّامْ (Ayyam) 是 يَوْم (Yaum) 的复数, 只是意指时间 (1:4); 或者它可意指一段不定的时间, 或者一件事物发展的一个阶段。它不可能推测或肯定这一时期的长短。它可能是 “一千年”, (22:48) 或者 “五万年”。(70:5) 可是Yaum这个单词在这里或者在 «古兰经» 其它任何经文中肯定不是指地球自转所决定的时期。安拉没有给我们透露过所有他的日期和范围。如果安拉的有些日期长达千年以上, 另外一些长达五万年以上, 那么, 还有些可以长达百万年或亿万年以上。科学揭露了这样一事实: 天地经历了亿万年的时期才演变成它们现在这个形状。杰出的穆斯林学者穆海•艾尔•丁•伊本•阿拉比 (مُحْيیُ الدِّيْن اِبْنِ عَرَِبی, Muhyud-Din Ibn-e-Arabi) 的远见, 使人们得到相似的结论。这样, 我们不能绝对肯定完成天地创造这 “六天” 的长度是多久。安拉在不同时期内进行不同的改变工作, 有的花一千年, 另外的花五万年, 还有的甚至花更长的时期。我们能够说的只是, 天地的创造经历了六个很长的周期才趋完全。
( عَرْشArsh) (宝座、帝位) 代表安拉超绝无比的常德 (صِفَات تَنْزِيْهِيَّة, Sifate-Tanzihiyyah), 即任何其它存在物中不能见到的许多常德。在 «忠诚» 章中提及的四个常德, 是他超越无比的常德。这些常德是永恒不变的, 是通过安拉 (类似) 相像的常德 (صِفَات تَشْبِيْهِيَّة, Sifate-Tashbihiyyah)--------即在其它存在物中也或多或少可以见到的那些常德--------显示出来的。后面的这些常德被称为帝位的支持者。它们是众世界的养主, 无限博爱的主, 永久仁慈的主和审判日子的主。帝位代表安拉越绝无比的常德从23:117经文中也可清楚地看出, 它说明 “安拉的独一性” 与他的帝位是密切有关的, 因为正是这种超越无比的常德确实证明安拉独一性, 而安拉的其它的常德人类与他在不同程度上是共有的。 “稳固地奠立了帝位” 这几个字的意思是, 在创造了物质的宇宙之后, 安拉超越无比的常德和相像 (类似) 的常德开始活动, 世界上一切事情都开始按自然界规定的法则运行, 而且它们运行的秩序变得非常完美。(The Larger Edition of the Commentary pp.973-976)。
خَلْق (Khalq, 创造) 与 اَمْر (Amr, 命令) 的区别是, 前一个单词一般的意思是从先前存在的物质中衡量或推断 (演变) 出一件事物; 而后一个单词意味着在没有物质的情况下要产生一件事情, 只发出一个命令用的单词 “有”。 “创造只是他的工作, 制定规定也只是他的工作” 这句话的意思也可以是, 安拉不仅创造了宇宙, 而且行使权威并 (指挥) 控制宇宙。Amr也可意指 “制定法律”。
یعنی نظامِ شمسی اس طرح چلتا ہے کہ یوں معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ جیسے سورج چاند کو پکڑ رہا ہے اور چاند سورج کو پکڑ رہا ہے یعنی تیز رفتاری سے دونوں چکر لگا رہے ہیں جس کے نتیجہ میں رات اور دن پیدا ہوتے ہیں۔
سَخَّرَ کے معنے ہوتے ہیں کَلَّفَہٗ عَمَـلًا بِلَا اُجْرَۃٍ بغیر تنخواہ یا وظیفہ کے کام کرے۔ (اقرب)
13:4; 36:38.
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
Ayyam is the plural of Yaum which denotes time absolutely (1:4); or it may signify an indefinite period, or a stage in the development of a thing. It is not possible to surmise and define the length of this period. It may be "a thousand years" (22:48), or "fifty thousand years" (70:5). But the word Yaum definitely does not refer here or in any other verse of the Qur’an as the period of time determined by the rotation of the earth on its axis. God has not disclosed to us the extent of all His days. If some of God’s days extend over a thousand years and others over fifty thousand years, there may be still others which extend over millions or billions of years. Science has disclosed the fact that it took the heavens and the earth millions of years to be evolved into their present shape. A vision of the eminent Muslim scholar, Muhyud-Din Ibn-e- ‘Arabi, leads one to a similar conclusion. Thus we cannot definitely determine the length of the "six days" during which the creation of the
See {54}.
‘Arsh (Throne) represents God’s transcendent attributes (Sifate- Tanzihiyyah), i.e. such attributes as are not found in any other being. The four attributes of God mentioned in Surah Ikhlas are His transcendent attributes. These attributes are eternal and unchangeable and are manifested through God’s attributes of similitude (Sifate-Tashbihiyyah), i.e. such attributes as are found more or less in other beings also. These latter attributes are said to be the bearers of the ‘Arsh. They are Rabbul-‘Alamin, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim and Maliki Yaumid-Din. That ‘Arsh represents the transcendent attributes of God is also clear from 23:117 which shows that the "Unity of God" and His ‘Arsh are intimately connected, for it is the transcendent attributes which constitute the real proof of Divine Unity, other attributes of God being shared by man in different degrees. The words, "Settled Himself on the Throne" signify that aft
The distinction between Khalq (creation) and Amr (command) is that while the former word generally means, the measuring out or evolving of a thing out of pre-existing matter, the latter means, bringing into being without matter by uttering the simple command word "be." The clause, His is the creation and the command, may also mean that God has not only created the universe but He also exercises authority and command over it. Amr also means, the making of laws.
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
13:4; 36:38.
Important Words:
عرش (Throne) is substantive from the verb عرش which means, he constructed or built a shed or a building, etc. عرش البیتmeans, he built or constructed the house. عرش بالمکان means, he put up, or lodged, in the house. The saying من العرش الی الفرشmeans, from the highest sphere to the lowness of the earth. عرش means, a shed or building constructed for shade; a house in an absolute sense; a dwelling or a place of abode; the wood upon which one stands when drawing water; the roof of a house or the like; the throne or the seat of a king; the means of support of a thing or an affair; might or power; regal power; sovereignty; dominion. The expression استوی علی العرش means, He (God) reigned as King; He settled Himself on the Throne; He was or became established on the Throne of Power and Majesty (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:30 & 6:142.
Commentary:
The word یوم (day) also means "time" absolutely (1:4); and it is in this sense that the word has been used in the present verse. It is difficult to say how long these six periods of time were in which, according to this verse, the heavens and the earth were created. They may have extended over hundreds of thousands of years. The word ایام (days) evidently is not used here in the sense of ordinary days of 24 hours, because such days are determined by the rising and setting of the sun and the sun itself, being a part of this universe, came into existence simultaneously with it.
The word ثم (then) shows that after completing the creation of the heavens and the earth in six "days" or six "periods", God settled Himself on the Throne on the seventh day. As the Arabic word سبع (seven) is generally used as a symbol of perfection, the expression would signify that on the seventh day when God became established on the Throne of His Power and Majesty, the universe became in perfect working order.
The "night and day" mentioned in the clause, He makes the night cover the day, have been mentioned here as symbolizing sin and virtue. In fact, the phenomenon of sin in a perfectly ordered universe is explainable only by the phenomenon of night. Just as that part of the earth which is hidden from the sun is covered by darkness; similarly, when a man turns away from God, he becomes involved in the darkness of sin; but when he turns his face towards God, the day dawns for him and he basks in the light of truth and righteousness.
The words, He makes the night cover the day which pursues it swiftly, are explained in 2:165 by the expression "the alternation of night and day." The clause may also imply that it is God’s سنة or practice that after a period of darkness He brings a period of light so that mankind may not suffer.
By using the word مسخرات (all made subservient) with respect to the sun, the moon and the stars, the verse reminds us that it was not in the power of man to make all these planets serve him and that it is God alone Who has placed them at his service. Therefore, if, in spite of these great favours, he would not listen to God’s voice, he would be marked as a transgressor and consequently merit His punishment.
The distinction between خلق (the creation) and امر (the command) is that while the former generally means, the measuring out or evolving of a thing out of pre-existing matter, the latter means, bringing into being without matter by uttering the simple command "Be". The clause, His is the creation and the command, may also mean that God has not only created the universe but also exercises authority and command over it.
For the words, He settled Himself on the Throne, see under 10:4 where the expressions "Divine Throne", and "God’s settling on it" have been fully dealt with.
a
13:4; 36:38.
b
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
497
اَيَّامْ (Ayyam) 是 يَوْم (Yaum) 的复数, 只是意指时间 (1:4); 或者它可意指一段不定的时间, 或者一件事物发展的一个阶段。它不可能推测或肯定这一时期的长短。它可能是 “一千年”, (22:48) 或者 “五万年”。(70:5) 可是Yaum这个单词在这里或者在 «古兰经» 其它任何经文中肯定不是指地球自转所决定的时期。安拉没有给我们透露过所有他的日期和范围。如果安拉的有些日期长达千年以上, 另外一些长达五万年以上, 那么, 还有些可以长达百万年或亿万年以上。科学揭露了这样一事实: 天地经历了亿万年的时期才演变成它们现在这个形状。杰出的穆斯林学者穆海•艾尔•丁•伊本•阿拉比 (مُحْيیُ الدِّيْن اِبْنِ عَرَِبی, Muhyud-Din Ibn-e-Arabi) 的远见, 使人们得到相似的结论。这样, 我们不能绝对肯定完成天地创造这 “六天” 的长度是多久。安拉在不同时期内进行不同的改变工作, 有的花一千年, 另外的花五万年, 还有的甚至花更长的时期。我们能够说的只是, 天地的创造经历了六个很长的周期才趋完全。
498
( عَرْشArsh) (宝座、帝位) 代表安拉超绝无比的常德 (صِفَات تَنْزِيْهِيَّة, Sifate-Tanzihiyyah), 即任何其它存在物中不能见到的许多常德。在 «忠诚» 章中提及的四个常德, 是他超越无比的常德。这些常德是永恒不变的, 是通过安拉 (类似) 相像的常德 (صِفَات تَشْبِيْهِيَّة, Sifate-Tashbihiyyah)--------即在其它存在物中也或多或少可以见到的那些常德--------显示出来的。后面的这些常德被称为帝位的支持者。它们是众世界的养主, 无限博爱的主, 永久仁慈的主和审判日子的主。帝位代表安拉越绝无比的常德从23:117经文中也可清楚地看出, 它说明 “安拉的独一性” 与他的帝位是密切有关的, 因为正是这种超越无比的常德确实证明安拉独一性, 而安拉的其它的常德人类与他在不同程度上是共有的。 “稳固地奠立了帝位” 这几个字的意思是, 在创造了物质的宇宙之后, 安拉超越无比的常德和相像 (类似) 的常德开始活动, 世界上一切事情都开始按自然界规定的法则运行, 而且它们运行的秩序变得非常完美。(The Larger Edition of the Commentary pp.973-976)。
499
خَلْق (Khalq, 创造) 与 اَمْر (Amr, 命令) 的区别是, 前一个单词一般的意思是从先前存在的物质中衡量或推断 (演变) 出一件事物; 而后一个单词意味着在没有物质的情况下要产生一件事情, 只发出一个命令用的单词 “有”。 “创造只是他的工作, 制定规定也只是他的工作” 这句话的意思也可以是, 安拉不仅创造了宇宙, 而且行使权威并 (指挥) 控制宇宙。Amr也可意指 “制定法律”。
1
یعنی نظامِ شمسی اس طرح چلتا ہے کہ یوں معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ جیسے سورج چاند کو پکڑ رہا ہے اور چاند سورج کو پکڑ رہا ہے یعنی تیز رفتاری سے دونوں چکر لگا رہے ہیں جس کے نتیجہ میں رات اور دن پیدا ہوتے ہیں۔
2
سَخَّرَ کے معنے ہوتے ہیں کَلَّفَہٗ عَمَـلًا بِلَا اُجْرَۃٍ بغیر تنخواہ یا وظیفہ کے کام کرے۔ (اقرب)
a
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
b
13:4; 36:38.
954
Important Words:
عرش (Throne) is substantive from the verb عرش which means, he constructed or built a shed or a building, etc. عرش البیتmeans, he built or constructed the house. عرش بالمکان means, he put up, or lodged, in the house. The saying من العرش الی الفرشmeans, from the highest sphere to the lowness of the earth. عرش means, a shed or building constructed for shade; a house in an absolute sense; a dwelling or a place of abode; the wood upon which one stands when drawing water; the roof of a house or the like; the throne or the seat of a king; the means of support of a thing or an affair; might or power; regal power; sovereignty; dominion. The expression استوی علی العرش means, He (God) reigned as King; He settled Himself on the Throne; He was or became established on the Throne of Power and Majesty (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:30 & 6:142.
Commentary:
The word یوم (day) also means "time" absolutely (1:4); and it is in this sense that the word has been used in the present verse. It is difficult to say how long these six periods of time were in which, according to this verse, the heavens and the earth were created. They may have extended over hundreds of thousands of years. The word ایام (days) evidently is not used here in the sense of ordinary days of 24 hours, because such days are determined by the rising and setting of the sun and the sun itself, being a part of this universe, came into existence simultaneously with it.
The word ثم (then) shows that after completing the creation of the heavens and the earth in six "days" or six "periods", God settled Himself on the Throne on the seventh day. As the Arabic word سبع (seven) is generally used as a symbol of perfection, the expression would signify that on the seventh day when God became established on the Throne of His Power and Majesty, the universe became in perfect working order.
The "night and day" mentioned in the clause, He makes the night cover the day, have been mentioned here as symbolizing sin and virtue. In fact, the phenomenon of sin in a perfectly ordered universe is explainable only by the phenomenon of night. Just as that part of the earth which is hidden from the sun is covered by darkness; similarly, when a man turns away from God, he becomes involved in the darkness of sin; but when he turns his face towards God, the day dawns for him and he basks in the light of truth and righteousness.
The words, He makes the night cover the day which pursues it swiftly, are explained in 2:165 by the expression "the alternation of night and day." The clause may also imply that it is God’s سنة or practice that after a period of darkness He brings a period of light so that mankind may not suffer.
By using the word مسخرات (all made subservient) with respect to the sun, the moon and the stars, the verse reminds us that it was not in the power of man to make all these planets serve him and that it is God alone Who has placed them at his service. Therefore, if, in spite of these great favours, he would not listen to God’s voice, he would be marked as a transgressor and consequently merit His punishment.
The distinction between خلق (the creation) and امر (the command) is that while the former generally means, the measuring out or evolving of a thing out of pre-existing matter, the latter means, bringing into being without matter by uttering the simple command "Be". The clause, His is the creation and the command, may also mean that God has not only created the universe but also exercises authority and command over it.
For the words, He settled Himself on the Throne, see under 10:4 where the expressions "Divine Throne", and "God’s settling on it" have been fully dealt with.
a
13:4; 36:38.
b
10:4; 11:8; 25:60; 32:5; 41:10-13; 50:39; 57:5.
984
Ayyam is the plural of Yaum which denotes time absolutely (1:4); or it may signify an indefinite period, or a stage in the development of a thing. It is not possible to surmise and define the length of this period. It may be "a thousand years" (22:48), or "fifty thousand years" (70:5). But the word Yaum definitely does not refer here or in any other verse of the Qur’an as the period of time determined by the rotation of the earth on its axis. God has not disclosed to us the extent of all His days. If some of God’s days extend over a thousand years and others over fifty thousand years, there may be still others which extend over millions or billions of years. Science has disclosed the fact that it took the heavens and the earth millions of years to be evolved into their present shape. A vision of the eminent Muslim scholar, Muhyud-Din Ibn-e- ‘Arabi, leads one to a similar conclusion. Thus we cannot definitely determine the length of the "six days" during which the creation of the
985
See {54}.
986
‘Arsh (Throne) represents God’s transcendent attributes (Sifate- Tanzihiyyah), i.e. such attributes as are not found in any other being. The four attributes of God mentioned in Surah Ikhlas are His transcendent attributes. These attributes are eternal and unchangeable and are manifested through God’s attributes of similitude (Sifate-Tashbihiyyah), i.e. such attributes as are found more or less in other beings also. These latter attributes are said to be the bearers of the ‘Arsh. They are Rabbul-‘Alamin, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim and Maliki Yaumid-Din. That ‘Arsh represents the transcendent attributes of God is also clear from 23:117 which shows that the "Unity of God" and His ‘Arsh are intimately connected, for it is the transcendent attributes which constitute the real proof of Divine Unity, other attributes of God being shared by man in different degrees. The words, "Settled Himself on the Throne" signify that aft
987
The distinction between Khalq (creation) and Amr (command) is that while the former word generally means, the measuring out or evolving of a thing out of pre-existing matter, the latter means, bringing into being without matter by uttering the simple command word "be." The clause, His is the creation and the command, may also mean that God has not only created the universe but He also exercises authority and command over it. Amr also means, the making of laws.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَدَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَأَنْهَٰرًا ۖ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ ۖ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
15:20; 16:16; 21:32.
36:37; 51:50.
7:55; 39:6.
Though the present verse refers only to fruits, elsewhere the Qur’an speaks of God having made pairs––male and female––of all things (36:37; 51:50). This is a truth which of all religious Scriptures the Qur’an was the first to propound. Scientists have begun to discover pairs even in inorganic matter. The verse draws attention to the fact that the law that everything has a pair applies to the human intellect also. Until heavenly light descends on it, man cannot have true knowledge, which is born of a combination of both Divine revelation and human reason.
15:20; 16:16; 21:32.
36:37; 51:50.
7:55; 39:6.
Commentary:
This verse points to the law of nature that heaven and earth work in unison and this harmonious co-operation of the celestial and terrestrial bodies is responsible for the successful working of the universe. For instance, when rain falls from heaven the earth brings forth its vegetation which is thus the common result of both heaven and earth. The same law works in the spiritual universe, for just as there is a heaven and an earth in the material world there is also a spiritual heaven and a spiritual earth. Rain and light come down from the spiritual heaven, and the spiritual earth becomes enligh-tened and revived into a new life. Just as good soil cannot fail to yield its treasures after the descent of rain, similarly, unsullied human nature cannot withhold its treasures after the descent of heavenly water which is Divinerevelation. God’s Prophets attract men as a magnet attracts iron. There was therefore, no cause for wonder if Islam spread quickly. The wonder would have been if it had not spread so fast, because then one would have been entitled to ask why the soil did not bring forth its verdure and herbage when rain had fallen at the proper time.
The verse refers to another important natural law, viz. God has made in the earth mountains which keep water stored up in the form of snow which, on melting, feeds rivers and springs. If the store of snow on the tops of mountains were exhausted, rivers and springs would be dried up and the land would lie dry and desolate. An analogous law operates in the spiritual world. In the spiritual realm certain individuals are like mountains and serve as reser-voirs, storing up the Word of God, while certain other individuals are like rivers and springs which water the world but cannot keep the water stored up. Prophets are the mountains of the spiritual world, while savants and ulema, learned in religious lore, are its rivers and springs, and the common people provide the soil which these rivers and springs, being themselves fed by the melted snow of the mountains, water and make fertile. Should these mountains disappear, there would be no springs and no rivers and the earth would dry up and be ruined.
Though the present verse refers only to fruits, elsewhere the Quran speaks of God having made pairs—male and female—of all things (36:37; 51:50). This is a truth which of all religious Scriptures the Quran was the first to propound. It is true that even in pre-Islamic days the Arabs had discovered that the date trees were male and female, but they could go no further. It was the Quran that made known to the world the great truth that all fruit-trees, in fact, everything, had male and female. The people could not at first understand it. But now, after a lapse of 1350 years, scientific research has confirmed the Quranic announcement and scientists have begun to discover pairs even in inorganic matter.
The verse draws our attention to the fact that the law that everything has a pair applies to the human intellect also. Until heavenly light descends on it, man cannot have true knowledge, which is born of a combination of Divinerevelation and human reason. So it is impossible to have true knowledge of God independently of the revelation sent to the Holy Prophet. Similarly, human reason cannot fail to accept the Word of God revealed to the Holy Prophet if it is presented to it in a proper manner.
The words, He causes the night to cover the day, point to yet another fundamental law of nature that the night serves as a covering for the day, and by pointing to this law the Quran dispels the popular misconception that the light of the Quran could not spread amidst the prevailing im-penetrable veil of darkness. Just as the darkness of night is removed to give place to the light of the day, similarly, the present darkness of sin and iniquity will be followed by the spiritual light of truth and righteousness. Darkness, in fact, possesses no independent existence and a single ray of the sun dispels and dissipates it. The Sun of Islam will now dispel the darkness of unbelief and infidelity.
g
15:20; 16:16; 21:32.
h
36:37; 51:50.
i
7:55; 39:6.
a
15:20; 16:16; 21:32.
b
36:37; 51:50.
c
7:55; 39:6.
1615
Commentary:
This verse points to the law of nature that heaven and earth work in unison and this harmonious co-operation of the celestial and terrestrial bodies is responsible for the successful working of the universe. For instance, when rain falls from heaven the earth brings forth its vegetation which is thus the common result of both heaven and earth. The same law works in the spiritual universe, for just as there is a heaven and an earth in the material world there is also a spiritual heaven and a spiritual earth. Rain and light come down from the spiritual heaven, and the spiritual earth becomes enligh-tened and revived into a new life. Just as good soil cannot fail to yield its treasures after the descent of rain, similarly, unsullied human nature cannot withhold its treasures after the descent of heavenly water which is Divinerevelation. God’s Prophets attract men as a magnet attracts iron. There was therefore, no cause for wonder if Islam spread quickly. The wonder would have been if it had not spread so fast, because then one would have been entitled to ask why the soil did not bring forth its verdure and herbage when rain had fallen at the proper time.
The verse refers to another important natural law, viz. God has made in the earth mountains which keep water stored up in the form of snow which, on melting, feeds rivers and springs. If the store of snow on the tops of mountains were exhausted, rivers and springs would be dried up and the land would lie dry and desolate. An analogous law operates in the spiritual world. In the spiritual realm certain individuals are like mountains and serve as reser-voirs, storing up the Word of God, while certain other individuals are like rivers and springs which water the world but cannot keep the water stored up. Prophets are the mountains of the spiritual world, while savants and ulema, learned in religious lore, are its rivers and springs, and the common people provide the soil which these rivers and springs, being themselves fed by the melted snow of the mountains, water and make fertile. Should these mountains disappear, there would be no springs and no rivers and the earth would dry up and be ruined.
Though the present verse refers only to fruits, elsewhere the Quran speaks of God having made pairs—male and female—of all things (36:37; 51:50). This is a truth which of all religious Scriptures the Quran was the first to propound. It is true that even in pre-Islamic days the Arabs had discovered that the date trees were male and female, but they could go no further. It was the Quran that made known to the world the great truth that all fruit-trees, in fact, everything, had male and female. The people could not at first understand it. But now, after a lapse of 1350 years, scientific research has confirmed the Quranic announcement and scientists have begun to discover pairs even in inorganic matter.
The verse draws our attention to the fact that the law that everything has a pair applies to the human intellect also. Until heavenly light descends on it, man cannot have true knowledge, which is born of a combination of Divinerevelation and human reason. So it is impossible to have true knowledge of God independently of the revelation sent to the Holy Prophet. Similarly, human reason cannot fail to accept the Word of God revealed to the Holy Prophet if it is presented to it in a proper manner.
The words, He causes the night to cover the day, point to yet another fundamental law of nature that the night serves as a covering for the day, and by pointing to this law the Quran dispels the popular misconception that the light of the Quran could not spread amidst the prevailing im-penetrable veil of darkness. Just as the darkness of night is removed to give place to the light of the day, similarly, the present darkness of sin and iniquity will be followed by the spiritual light of truth and righteousness. Darkness, in fact, possesses no independent existence and a single ray of the sun dispels and dissipates it. The Sun of Islam will now dispel the darkness of unbelief and infidelity.
b
15:20; 16:16; 21:32.
c
36:37; 51:50.
d
7:55; 39:6.
1421
Though the present verse refers only to fruits, elsewhere the Qur’an speaks of God having made pairs––male and female––of all things (36:37; 51:50). This is a truth which of all religious Scriptures the Qur’an was the first to propound. Scientists have begun to discover pairs even in inorganic matter. The verse draws attention to the fact that the law that everything has a pair applies to the human intellect also. Until heavenly light descends on it, man cannot have true knowledge, which is born of a combination of both Divine revelation and human reason.