The Light of Truth — Page 365
REFUTING OBJECTIONS 365 This agreeable enquiry proves that the word التصف ]an-nisf]-which appears in the hadith of the pious and innocent Imam [al-Baqir]—does not mean the solar eclipse will take place in the middle of this blessed month, as some who possess weak insight have understood. Indeed they insist upon it like an ignorant fool and an obstinate wrongdoer, and they do not contemplate like the intelligent and fair-minded. In reality the meaning of his statement وَتَنْكَسِفُ الشَّمْسُ فِي النِّصْفِ منه ]wa tankasif-ush-shamsu fin-nișfi minhu] is that the solar eclipse will bisect the days of the solar eclipse, and it will not go beyond mid-day on the second day [of the three days of solar eclipse], for that is the exact mid- dle point. Accordingly, just as Allah decreed that the moon would be eclipsed on the first night of the nights of the lunar eclipse, likewise did He decree that the sun would be eclipsed on the middle day of the days of the solar eclipse. And indeed, it occurred just as it had been ordained and precisely how the Best of Prophets had said it would. فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَى غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِنْ رَّسُولٍ 1 This is a grand prophecy from the news of the unseen and beyond the scope of human minds. There is no doubt that it is a hadith of the Best of Messengers. Other methods, too, testify to its authenticity,2* and 1. And He reveals not His secrets to any one, except to him whom He chooses, namely a Messenger of His (Surah al-Jinn, 72:27-28). 2. ✩ Footnote: You are well aware that the news of the linked lunar and solar eclipses is present in the Holy Quran, and Allah has established this as a Sign of the Day of Reckoning. This hadith is found in the books of the Shias just as it is found in the books of the Sunnis, and we find every group in agree- ment about it. Likewise, it is recorded in the Book of Prophet Isaiah, Chapter Thirteen ['The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. . . -Isaiah 13:10]; and in the Book of Prophet Joel, Chapter Two [The sun and moon grow dark. ' –Joel 2:10]; and in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24 ['Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. . . -Matthew 24:29]. There is no need for further detail as all these books are extant, so read them with careful attention. -Author