in venerating what they venerated. They venerated and worshipped the stars, believing that all affairs were governed by them. So he made them think that he, too, revered what they revered and was seeking guidance by the same means through which they sought it. Then, when it set, he showed them the deficiency inherent in the stars, in order to demonstrate the falsity of their claims.

This is like the case of the disciple who came to a people worshipping an idol. He outwardly displayed reverence for it, so they honored him, until they came to defer to his opinion in many matters. Then an enemy attacked them, and they consulted him concerning their situation. He said, “My view is that we should call upon this idol, so that it may remove from us what has befallen us.” They gathered around it, humbly imploring it. When it became clear to them that it could neither benefit nor ward off harm, he called them to invoke Allah. So they invoked Him, and He turned away from them what they had feared; and they embraced Islam.

The second interpretation is that he said this as a question, meaning: “Is this my Lord?” This is like His saying, exalted is He: “If you were to die, would they live forever?” (al-Anbiya, 34)—that is, “Would they live forever?” He said it by way of rebuke, denouncing their action; that is: “Could something like this be a lord?” In other words, “This is not my Lord.”

The third interpretation is that it was said by way of argument against them. He was saying: “This is my Lord, according to your claim?” Then, when it disappeared, he said: “Had it been a god, it would not have disappeared.” This is like His saying: “Taste! You are indeed the mighty, the honorable!” (al-Dukhan, 49)—that is, mighty and honorable in your own estimation and according to your claim. Likewise, He relates that Moses said: (1) “Look at this god of yours, to which you remained devoted: we shall certainly burn it.” (Ta Ha, 97)—meaning, your god according to your claim.

The fourth interpretation is that there is an implied expression, its meaning being: “They say, ‘This is my Lord.’” This is like His saying: “And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the House, ‘Our Lord, accept this from us.’” (al-Baqarah, 127)—that is, they were saying, “Our Lord, accept this from us.”

“When it set, he said, ‘I do not love things that set’”—that is, things which do not endure.

“When he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the misguided people.’ (77) Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater.’ But when it set, he said, ‘O my people, I am free of whatever you associate with Allah. (78) I have turned my face toward Him who originated the heavens and the earth, as a true monotheist, and I am not one of those who associate others with Allah.’ (79)”

“When he saw the moon rising”—that is, ascending. “He said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘Unless my Lord guides me’”—it was said that this means: unless He keeps me firm upon guidance; not that he had not already been guided. The prophets have always asked Allah Most High for steadfastness upon