his commentary. And know that there is a noble secret and lofty wisdom in mentioning place before time.” He is alluding to place being the cause of time, as discussed earlier.

I say: If “place and spatial things” means the heavens, the earth, and everything within them, and “time and temporal things” means night, day, and whatever dwells within them, then it is well known that Allah, glorified and exalted is He,

“created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light. Yet those who disbelieve ascribe equals to their Lord.” {1} [al-An‘ām 1]

He, Most High, also says:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for people of understanding.” {190} [Āl ‘Imrān 190]

There are similar passages elsewhere in the Quran. It is well known that day depends on the sun. As for night, whether it is the absence of light, an existent accident—as some maintain—or black bodies, as others maintain, Allah is the Maker of all of that. He, glorified and exalted is He, is as ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd said: “Indeed, your Lord