what is called time. For if time is said to be the measure of motion, then time in general is the measure of motion in general; this does not require it to be the measure of the motion of the sun or the celestial sphere.

The adherents of the revealed religions agree that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days, and that He created them from matter that existed before these heavens and this earth: smoke, which is vapour. As the Most High says:

“Then He turned towards the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come, willingly or unwillingly.’ They said, ‘We come willingly.’”

This smoke was the vapour of water that existed at that time, as related in reports from the Companions and their successors, and as held by the People of the Book. All this has been discussed elsewhere. Those days were not measured by the motion of this sun and this celestial sphere, for these were among the things created during those days. Rather, those days were measured by another motion.

Likewise, when Allah splits these heavens apart, brings about the Resurrection, and admits the people of Paradise into Paradise, the Most High says:

“And they will have their provision therein, morning and evening.”

Reports from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—state that He, blessed and exalted, manifests Himself to His believing servants on Friday, and that those of the highest rank see Allah Most High twice each day. Yet there is neither sun nor moon in Paradise, nor is there any motion of a celestial sphere there. Rather, that time is measured by movements, as the reports state that they recognize the time by lights appearing from the direction of the Throne.