(1) Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—removes this doubt as follows: in the Qur’an the east and the west are mentioned sometimes in the plural, sometimes in the dual, and sometimes in the singular, each form suiting the context in which it appears. The plural occurs in: “fa-la uqsimu bi-rabbi al-mashāriqi wa-l-maghārib” (So I swear by the Lord of the many easts and wests; 70:40). The dual appears in: “rabbu al-mashriqayni wa-rabbu al-maghribayn, fa-bi-ayyi alāʾi rabbikumā tukaḏḏibān” (Lord of the two easts and the two wests; so which of your Lord’s favors will you two deny? 55:17). The singular is found in: “rabbu al-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib, lā ilāha illā huwa fa-ttakhidh-hu wakīlā” (Lord of the east and the west; there is no deity but Him, so take Him as your trustee; 73:9). Reflect on this consummate wisdom in alternating between singular, dual, and plural forms according to their respective settings, and you will perceive the grandeur and nobility of the Qur’an, confirming that it is a revelation from the All-Wise, the Praiseworthy. When the plural is used, it refers to the many sunrise and sunset points that occur throughout the days of the year. When the singular is used, it denotes the two main horizons of east and west. When the dual is used, it signifies the two rising points and the two setting points marking the sun’s ascent and descent: it begins by ascending until it reaches its greatest height—this is the rising of its ascent—and from it stem the seasons of autumn and winter; thus the entire rising of its ascent is counted as one east…