night.”

“Decline” has been interpreted as the sun’s passing its zenith and as its setting. These are reported as two opinions in works of Quranic exegesis. Yet they are not two distinct opinions; rather, the expression encompasses both, for decline means an inclination.

The sun’s decline is its inclination, and this inclination has a beginning and an end: it begins when the sun passes its zenith and ends at sunset. The expression encompasses both in this respect, not as a word with two distinct meanings encompassing both, nor as a word encompassing its literal and figurative senses.

Another example is the interpretation of “the darkening one” as the night and as the moon. These interpretations do not differ; rather, the expression encompasses both because they are inseparably linked, for the moon is a sign of the night. There are many similar examples.

Among them is His statement, mighty and majestic is He:

“Say, ‘My Lord would pay you no heed were it not for your supplication.’” [25:77]

One interpretation is: “Were it not for your calling upon Him.” Another is: “Were it not for His calling you to worship Him.” On the latter interpretation, the verbal noun is attributed to its object; on the former, it is attributed to its agent. The former is the stronger of the two opinions. Accordingly, both kinds of supplication are intended, though supplication as worship is the more apparent meaning. That is: “My Lord would pay you no heed were it not for your worshipping Him”—a worship that necessarily entails asking of Him. Thus, both kinds are included.

Another example is His statement, exalted is He:

“Your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will answer you.’” [40:60]

Supplication here encompasses both kinds, though supplication as worship is more apparent. This is why He follows it with His statement:

“Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, humiliated.”

Supplication in this verse has been interpreted in both senses.

Sufyān narrated from Mansūr, from Zirr, from Nusay‘ al-Kindī, from al-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr, who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say from the pulpit: ‘Indeed, supplication is worship.’” Then he recited:

“Call upon Me; I will answer you. Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, humiliated.”

Al-Tirmidhī narrated it and said: “It is a good and authentic hadith.”

As for His statement, exalted is He:

“O people, an example is presented, so listen to it: those whom you invoke besides Allah will never create a fly, even if they all gathered together to do so.” [22:73]

And His statement:

“They invoke none besides Him but female deities.” [4:117]

And His statement [41:48]: