runs in its orbit and does not change; rather, it only seems long because of the abundance and severity of its hardships—its length being due to its weariness. They did not say this, as some pedantic people do.

Instead, they affirmed that this day would truly be twelve months, without distortion or figurative reinterpretation. Such is the reality of the believer: he submits to what Allah and His Messenger have informed him concerning matters of the unseen, even if his mind is perplexed by them. Yet we must know that the reports of Allah and His Messenger do not concern what reason judges to be impossible; rather, they concern matters that bewilder the mind because it cannot comprehend them.

Had this hadith come before later people who claim that they alone are rational, they would have said: “Its length is figurative, referring to the fatigue and hardships it contains, for days of joy are short while days of evil are long.” But the Companions, because of their purity and receptiveness, submitted at once. They said: “The One who created the sun and made it complete its course in twenty-four hours of day and night is able to make it complete its course in one day over twelve months, for the Creator is One; He is fully able.” Therefore, they submitted and asked, “How are we to pray?” They did not ask about the universal decree, because they knew that Allah has power over all things. Rather, they asked about the religious ruling with which they were charged—namely, the prayer. By Allah, this is true submission and acceptance. He answered them, saying: “Estimate its measure.” (1)

If you reflect, you will find that this religion is complete and perfect: there cannot be any matter that people will need until the Day of Resurrection except that there is for it