The Light of Truth — Page 371
REFUTING OBJECTIONS doubt the forenoon sun? Do you consider light to be like dark- ness? Do you simply feign blindness or are you truly blind? Do you accept the testimony of men but reject the testimony of the Gracious God, rushing [to judgement] arrogantly? Do you believe that Allah reveals the unseen to liars, fabricators, and forgers? Do you suspect prophecies even after their truthfulness has become manifest? Once the truth has become manifest, only the one who is from among transgressors will remain sceptical. This is a matter that requires no elucidation or explanation. It is apparent to the pious and intelligent as well as to whosoever applies themselves assiduously like those who endeavour to understand. Thereafter, O ye possessed of sight! Know that the word النصف [an-nișf] possesses two meanings [in this hadith]. Just as the word الأول ]al-awwal] indicates the 'earliest time' in the evening accord- ing to its known meaning, as well as the 'first night' from among the nights of the lunar eclipse, similarly, the word النصف an-nisf[ indicates another 'half' from the halves of the month under dis- cussion; and along with this, it also indicates a time that 'halves' the days of the solar eclipse, and that is the first half of the day on the twenty-eighth [of Ramadan]. As for the days which the All- Knowing Lord appointed for the solar eclipse, know that they span, according to astronomers, three days, and these are from the 27th of the lunar month to the 29th. The sun can be eclipsed on any of these days when in close proximity to the moon in a specific way, after the necessary conditions have been met, as attested to by the experience of astronomers. The Messenger of Allah, the Best of Mankind, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, gave the news that the sun shall be eclipsed upon the appearance of the Mahdi on the middle day of these days-i. e. on the 28th prior to midday—and this is precisely how it occurred, as is clear to those who possess sight. See how the 371