The Light of Truth — Page 423
SIGNS TO STRIKE FEAR INTO THE HEARTS the world the like of bearers of glad tidings and warners for them. And everything that Allah has determined with regard to punishment and chastisement for the people of the time does not come to pass until the people commit sin by their hands, and persist in it with the obstinacy of the rebellious, and transgress like the insolent ones. He created a cause for everything in the universe, and He made every frightening Sign throughout time an admonition for those in a state of wretchedness and loss, a warning for the heedless, and a glad tiding for those who descend upon the threshold of sincerity and devotedly take the place of [those who attain] purity and [become] the elect. This is a recurring practice and ancient habit of the Most High and you find its signs in the previ- ous centuries. And this is precisely how it has been related in the Scriptures of the earlier peoples. If, however, you are in doubt, then consult Chapter Two of the Book of Joel and Thirty-Two of Ezekiel. Fear Allah and follow not the ways of the wrongdoers! In summary, the lunar and solar eclipses are two Signs [intended] to frighten, and when they occur alongside one another, it constitutes a formidable threat of divine pun- ishment and an indication that the punishment for the transgressors has been determined and affirmed by Allah. Therewith, among their properties is that when they appear together in a given period and manifest in particular coun- tries, Allah then helps the oppressed people therein and strengthens the weak and overpowered, and He has mercy on a people who are wronged, labelled disbelievers, and cursed unjustly. So He sends down Signs for them from the heavens and sends support from His own dominion. He 423