Even if the invalidity of these people’s view is self-evident from the religion of Islam, the earlier group’s innovations paved the way for people like these to embrace this heresy.

It is also self-evident from Arabic usage that these meanings are not what is understood by the words “star,” “moon,” and “sun.”

Moreover, even supposing that these things could figuratively be called a star, a moon, and a sun, this would, at most, permit someone to use those words in that sense. He could not, however, claim that the speakers of the language in which the Quran was revealed intended these meanings by those words. The Quran was revealed in the language of those whom the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed. No one therefore has the right to use its words in particular senses by analogy or metaphor, then interpret the words of his predecessors according to this usage of his own invention.

Furthermore, Allah Most High said:

“When the night covered him, he saw a star” [al-An‘ām: 76].

He mentioned it in the indefinite form because there are many stars. Then He said:

“When he saw the moon” [al-An‘ām: 77],

“When he saw the sun” [al-An‘ām: 78]]

Here He used the definite form to make clear that what is intended is the familiar moon and the familiar sun. This explicitly indicates that there are many stars and that one of them is intended, whereas the sun and moon are these two familiar celestial bodies.

He also said, “I do not love those that set.” Setting means disappearing and becoming concealed. If what is meant is disappearance from outward sight, then the intellect and soul they posit are always beyond sight and cannot be seen under any circumstances; indeed, the same is true of the Necessary Existent,