Functions of The Stars
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (45)
Allah Almighty has explained the wisdom behind their creation and outlined their functions in the universe in three roles. He created them to be a sign of His greatness and power, to guide people through the darkness of land and sea, and to help identify directions—north, south, east, and west. He said: {And it is He who placed for you the stars that you may be guided by them through the darknesses of the land and sea. We have detailed the signs for a people who know.} [Al-An'am: 97]. He created them as adornment for the heavens and beauty, as He, the Almighty, said: {Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars} [As-Saffat: 6]. And He also said: {And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars] and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.} [Al-Mulk: 5].
The stars are among the signs of Allah that indicate His greatness and are submissive to Him, as He Almighty said: {Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills.} [Al-Hajj: 18]. Moreover, He has made them beneficial for His servants and has subjugated them to them, as He, the Almighty, said: {And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous [in orbit], and subjected for you the night and the day.} [Ibrahim: 33]. He also said: {and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Al-A'raf: 54]. And He Almighty said: {Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth} [Luqman: 20].
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 296-297.
- The Story of Creation, Al-Kharaan, p. 172.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
