“Most blessed is He Who set a constellation in the heavens, and placed in it a great lamp and a shining moon. He it is Who has appointed night and day to succeed one another, (as a sign) for him who desires to take heed, or desires to be thankful.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 25:61-62)
These ayats invite us to reflect over the objects of nature. The Arabic word burūj (constellation in the heavens) is used to denote a fort or palace, or a fortified building. Some commentators on the Qur’ān have interpreted the word as denoting the planets. Reflection over the content of the verse leads us to think that perhaps the reference here is to the heavenly spheres, which have been separated from each other by means of fortified boundaries. Although the frontiers in the atmosphere are imperceptible, it is impossible for anything from one sphere to penetrate into that of another. In this sense, burūj seems to signify ‘fortified heavenly spheres’, including the sun and the moon.
The succession of day and night each day is also a Sign which invites one ‘who desires to take heed or desires to be thankful’ to reflect. The first result of reflecting on the alternation of day and night is that one should believe in the Oneness of God; and if one had been oblivious of God, this reflection should act as a reminder. The second result of such reflection is that one should become conscious of God’s absolute and unbounded Lordship and this should generate feelings of gratitude and humility towards Him.