the actions taking place at the front of the mosque occur earlier in time than those at its rear. The imam’s action temporally precedes the worshipper’s action; hence, the place where the prior action occurs is itself called “prior.” This is the basis of that usage.
The same applies to precedence in rank. People of virtue are given precedence in noble deeds, places of honor (1), and other matters over those (2) beneath them. This is therefore called precedence, and this is its basis.
Accordingly, if the Lord is the First, preceding everything besides Him (3), then everything comes after Him. Even if it is supposed that He has always been acting, every particular act and every particular object of action comes after Him.
[Absolute Time Is the Measure of Absolute Motion]
When it is said, “Time is the measure of motion,” this does not mean the measure of a particular motion, such as the motion of the sun or the celestial sphere (4). Rather, absolute time is the measure of absolute motion. Before Allah (5) created the heavens, the earth, the sun, and the moon, there were motions and times; and after Allah brings about the Resurrection and the sun and moon pass away, there will be motions and times (6) in Paradise, as the Exalted says:
{There they will have their provision, morning and evening.}
[Surah Maryam: 62]
Reports also state that they recognize night and day by lights appearing from the direction of—