Why does Allah take oaths

Why does Allah take oaths

According to Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, oaths taken by Allah have only one base and that is the ‘attributes of Allah’. When Allah takes the oath of ‘the star when it descends’ or of ‘Al-Tariq (the Knocker)’ or any other creation of His, the base behind them is the greatness of Allah. Therefore it is evident that when Allah takes an oath of something, He does so of His own greatness and not of the created thing.

Similarly, when Allah takes an oath of the sun or the moon, for example, He mentions them as His signs in the Qur’an:

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding [Qur’an 3:190].

By the sun and its brightness. And [by] the moon when it follows it [Qur’an 91:1-2].

… He wrapped the night over the day that follows it quickly. The sun, the moon and the stars have all been tamed by His command… [Qur’an 7:54].

Allah mentions some of His created things as evidence of His existence and of monotheism and asks the readers of the Qur’an to ponder over these signs from Him. Then, when Allah takes an oath of these created things, He is simply taking an oath of Himself, His qualities, and His greatness. These signs of Allah confirm the Oneness of Allah as Allah states in the Qur’an 21:22:

Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

Qur’an 91:1-2 is perhaps one of the best examples to prove this point. Allah swears by the sun and the moon. The swearing by the moon has a condition ‘By the moon when…’ which is a point to ponder upon not just for laymen but for scientists as well. If someone still has the courage to ridicule himself and argue that since moon was a pagan god, the Qur’an encourages pagan beliefs, then they need to look at the verse again and think deeply. If the moon was a god, then the condition of whenwould not have been applied. A deity is a deity no matter what the condition. However, the conditional oath is evidence against the deification of moon. The Qur’an provides us with an excellent lesson in the story of Ibrahim (عليه السلام).

Thus did We show Ibrahim the realm of the heavens and the earth that he be one of those who have Faith and certainty. When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said: “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said: “I like not that those who set.” When he saw the moon rising up he said: “This is my lord.” but when it set, he said: “Unless my Lord guides me, I shall surely be among the erring people.” When he saw thesun rising up he said: “This is my lord, This is greater.” But when it set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who has created the heavens and the earth, inclining towards truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah. [Qur’an 6:75-]

In that debate, Ibrahim (عليه السلام) clarified to his people that these celestial bodies do not serve as deities and cannot be worshipped as partners with Allah the Almighty. Indeed these bodies are created things, fashioned, controlled, managed and made to serve. They appear sometimes and disappear at others, going out of sight from our world. However, Allah the Almighty does not lose sight of anything, and nothing can be hidden from Him. He is without end, everlasting without disappearance. There is no other deity but Allah.

Ibrahim (عليه السلام) made clear to them, first that the celestial bodies are unworthy of worship and second that they are among the signs of Allah. Almighty Allah commanded:

And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Prostrate not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them if you really worship Him [Qur’an 41:37].

From this we can establish that the things over which Allah takes an oath are basically evidences of His Oneness, Unity and Greatness. Allah has taken an oath of Himself only. Wherever He has taken an oath of any of His creation, it is in a way an oath of His own self because they are from His signs as explained above. Furthermore we see that in the Qur’an after oaths are made evidences are presented and signs are mentioned. Examples below:

By the dawn. And (by) ten nights. And (by) the even (number) and the odd. And (by) the night when it passes. Is there (not) in (all) that an oath (sufficient) for one of perception? [Qur’an 89:1-5]

And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason. [Qur’an 16:12]

Eat [there from] and pasture your livestock. Indeed, in that are signs for those of intelligence. [Qur’an 20:54]

… and several more verses.
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