celestial spheres. He may favor (1) this view in his commentary (2), yet categorically declare it false elsewhere.
This view was espoused by none of the Companions, those who followed them faithfully, or the Muslim imams. [Indeed, all Muslim scholars] (3), past and present, say that rain descends from the clouds.
In both the Arabic language and the Quran, the word samā’ (sky) denotes everything above. It is a generic designation for whatever is high, and its specific referent is determined only by what is connected with it. Allah says:
“Let him extend a rope to the ceiling.” [Surah al-Hajj: 15]
He also says:
“Who sent down water from the sky.” [Surah al-An‘ām: 99]
And He says:
“Do you feel secure from Him who is in heaven?” [Surah Tabārak: 16]
All three refer to what is above. In the first instance, this is specified as the ceiling or the like; in the second (4), as the clouds; and in the third, as what lies above the entire universe.
Thus, His words, “He sent down water from the sky” [Surah al-An‘ām: 99], mean from above, without reference to any particular body. Elsewhere, however, He explicitly states that it descends from the clouds, as in His words:
“Have you considered the water that you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the rain clouds, or are We the One who brings it down?” [Surah al-Wāqi‘ah: 68–69]
The word muzn means clouds.