Date : 26-11-2012

Question :

What is the ruling on figuratively attributing events to time?


The Answer :

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.



There is no blame in figuratively attributing events to time where an action is attributed to other than its doer. An example on this is when the Arabs say: "spring gave growth to herbs," although the rain is the cause for their growth and the real doer is Allah The Exalted, and a Muslim doesn`t believe otherwise.



However, adding the action to time or to other than its doer, as part of it or a medium is extensively used in the Arabic language. For example, Allah says: "Then how, if ye disbelieve, will ye protect yourselves upon the day which will turn children grey," {Al-Moz-zamil, 17}. Turning children grey is attributed to the Great Day of Judgment, although Allah the Almighty is the real doer. Also, Allah says, "I fear for you the doom of a besetting Day."{Hud, 84}. And Allah, the Almighty knows best.