A Comparative Study of the Viewpoints on the Phrase “min as-Sama’” in the Verses about Rain

Received: 07/04/2019   |   Accepted: 02/09/2019
In various verses of the Qur’an, the term rain has been used when describing Godly qualities, biography of different ethnic groups, the divine blessings and so on. The phrase “min as-Sama” in the Qur’an can likely refer to the source of rainwater, and a review of some exegeses displays the same thing. Disagreement among the commentators and the citation of different evidences in this regard necessitates analysis of the likely causes. Considering the ideas of the commentators, it can be concluded that there are two viewpoints on the source of rainwater: One view relates rain to a heavenly source, and another considers that as a result of surface water and its vaporization. The distinction between the two above viewpoints can be attributed to the role of definite experimental science as a significant evidence in the perception of some interpreters. With regard to the exegeses reviewed in this study, it is revealed that reliance on just the literal meaning of Qur’anic verses is not a valid evidence to prove the heavenly source of rainwater. Furthermore, some narratives display an image of clouds which denote rainfall comes from upper clouds although this point might be considered as a metaphor and allegory.