—but because they believed that if the cause of an eclipse were, for example, the moon blocking the sun’s light from reaching the earth when aligned with it, then it could not be attributed to divine manifestation. Yet the manifestation mentioned does not contradict this cause. For the sun and moon are humbled before Allah at this time when their light is interrupted, its influence upon the earth is suspended, and a barrier is placed between them and the realm of their sway, where their light spreads and takes effect. A king exercising authority over a distant place would likewise be humbled if prevented from doing so.

As for Allah Most High’s words:

“And those who arrange affairs,”

those who arrange affairs are the angels.

As for Allah’s swearing by the stars, as in His words:

“So I swear by the receding stars, which run their courses and disappear,”

this is like His swearing by other created things, such as the night, the day, the sun, the moon, and others. It signifies the greatness of that by which He swears and draws attention to the signs, lessons, benefits for people, and blessings bestowed upon them that it contains, and other such things. It does not mean that hearts should become attached to it, or that it should be thought to bring good or ill fortune—just as this is not supposed of the things mentioned in:

“By the night as it envelops, and the day as it shines forth,”

or:

“By those that scatter far and wide, and those that bear a burden,”

or:

“By the Mount, and a Book inscribed,”

and similar passages.

The belief that one of the seven heavenly bodies is responsible for a person’s good and ill fortune is a corrupt belief. Anyone who believes that it governs his affairs is a disbeliever. Likewise, if he also invokes it and seeks its aid, that constitutes disbelief and outright polytheism. And the most that