Summer solstice

Before I came to Islam it’s not secret that I was pagan for over 34 years.

Leaving paganism meant I left behind allot of beliefs and celebrations.

The summer solstice was always such a joyful event watching the magnificence of the sun rise at Stonehenge. So I began digging into the Quran to discover if it held any significance and of course it does.

So Let’s talk summer solstice.

In the uk it occurred at 950pm last night.

“The Lord of the two Easts, and the Lord of the two Wests.” (Quran 55:17)

This ayat has been interpreted in various ways. One interpretation that aligns with scientific knowledge is that it refers to the two solstices: the summer solstice (21st June) and the winter solstice (21st December). These two astronomical events mark the shortest and longest days of the solar year, respectively, and represent the furthest points east and west where the sun rises and sets. So before we dismiss this as pagan event we need to realise that Allah is found in everything and this verse highlights the magnificence of Allah, who governs the entire cycle of the sun throughout the year.

Islam doesn’t require us to throw everything away but instead to look to where it originates or is associated and the rising of the sun the creation on which we live is all from the creator. So take joy and bliss from basking in the sun as this is a gift from Allah too.