The belief that Allah returned the sun for Ali is a debated miracle in Islam, primarily among Shia Muslims. It refers to an event where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have asked God to bring back the sun so that Ali could perform his Asr prayer on time.
The Story of Radd al-Shams
The story, known as Radd al-Shams (returning of the sun), narrates that while Muhammad was receiving divine revelation or occupied with other important matters, Ali missed his Asr prayer because the sun had already set. Upon learning this, Muhammad prayed to Allah to return the sun so Ali could fulfill his religious obligation. According to the narratives, the sun then miraculously returned, allowing Ali to pray before setting again.
Different Perspectives
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Shia View: Many Shia Muslims accept the event of Radd al-Shams as a genuine miracle demonstrating Ali's high status and spiritual significance in Islam.
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Sunni View: Sunni scholars generally view the narrations regarding the return of the sun with skepticism. Some may consider them weak or fabricated, while others interpret them symbolically.
Authenticity of Narrations
The authenticity of the narrations regarding Radd al-Shams is a point of contention. Some scholars have questioned the reliability of the sources and the chain of narrators (isnad). Other scholars, particularly in Shia tradition, defend the authenticity of these narrations.
Conclusion
Whether Allah returned the sun for Ali is a matter of faith and depends on the acceptance of the relevant narrations. Shia Muslims often accept the event as a true miracle, while Sunni Muslims are generally more skeptical of its historicity.
