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Quran 36:40 – Verse About Nature Addressing Atheists Or Polytheists Or Both?
“Neither can the sun dare catch up with the moon nor can the night overtake the day. All of them are moving in their own path.” (Ya-Sin: 40)
From Ghamidi Sahab’s tafseer al-Bayan, it seems that this ayah is more about refuting atheism. He writes:
And in this manner bearing witness that there is a poweful, dominant, all-knowledgeable and wise being Who has subjected everyone to a prescribed plan.
However, Amin Ahsan Islahi’s tafseer seems to understand this verse more in terms of the negation of more than one God:
ساری کائنات ایک ہی خدا کے ہاتھ میں ہے: یعنی اس کائنات کا سارا نظام اس کے خالق نے اس طرح اپنے قابو میں کر رکھا ہے کہ نہ سورج کی مجال ہے کہ وہ اپنے مدار سے نکل کر چاند کے مدار میں جا گھسے اور اس کو پکڑ لے اور نہ رات کی مجال ہے کہ ایک سیکنڈ کے لیے بھی دن پر سبقت کر جائے بلکہ ان میں سے ہر ایک کو اپنے اپنے دائرے میں گردش کرنی پڑتی ہے.
Can we say that Allah intended both meanings, especially given that when the Qur’an was being revealed, the majority of its audience was not atheist? So, if the context (let’s assume) addresses mushrikoon rather than atheists, would it be fair to say that Allah intended it also for atheists? I mean, although it may be very reasonable to assume that Allah intended it for atheists as well, but it would just be an inference.
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7 Replies
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Quran 36:40 – Verse About Nature Addressing Atheists Or Polytheists Or Both?
updated 5 months, 2 weeks ago
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7
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This verse addresses the polytheists, making them realize the power of God Almighty who will hold them accountable, they cannot escape Him.
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But mushrikoon also believed in: “And in this manner bearing witness that there is a poweful, dominant, all-knowledgeable and wise being Who has subjected everyone to a prescribed plan.” It seems that it is more about refuting atheism (Ghamidi sahab’s tafseer of this verse.)
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The polytheists had developed many misconceptions with God. Moreover they were neglectful of the power and accountability of God as we see the same in our Muslims too. So the polytheists were reminded of of His power.
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Is that clear from the context? If so, could you describe how?
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yes, the whole context addresses the polytheists. you can see it.
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Does the Qur’an address atheism/atheists as its audience?
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Obviously not.
But it does get addressed indirectly because of how it introduces God to the Arab from scratch which was needed to explain God’s plan for Arabia.
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