fruits of every kind.” And He says:

“And the water Allah sends down from the sky, by which He revives the earth after its death and disperses throughout it every kind of creature.”

Thus, any speculative theologian who says that Allah brings about these things when these means are present, but not through them, uses language contrary to Allah’s Book and observable realities. Likewise, anyone who claims that these means act independently is a polytheist who contradicts both reason and religion.

He, glorified be He, has mentioned some of the benefits of the stars in His Book: they provide guidance through the darkness of land and sea. He has also stated that they adorn the lowest heaven and that the devils are pelted with stars. The stars with which the devils are pelted, however, are of a different kind from the fixed stars in the sky by which people navigate. The latter do not leave their places, unlike the former. Their natures differ, even though the designation “stars” encompasses both, just as the terms “creature” and “living being” encompass angels, human beings, beasts, flies, and mosquitoes.

Authentic reports from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, whose authenticity the scholars agree upon, establish that he commanded prayer when the sun or moon is eclipsed. He also commanded supplication, seeking forgiveness, charity, and the freeing of slaves, and said:

“The sun and the moon are two of Allah’s signs. They are not eclipsed because of anyone’s death or life.”

Another narration states:

“Two of Allah’s signs, through which He inspires fear in His servants.”

He said this to refute the claim of some ignorant people that the sun had been eclipsed because of the death of Ibrāhīm, the son of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The sun was eclipsed on the day of his death, and when it was eclipsed, some people supposed that its eclipse was due to his death and that his death was