Or have they not observed the things which God has created which cast a shadow such as trees or a mountain how their shadows incline to the right and to the left shamā’il is the plural of shimāl in other words towards both sides at the beginning of the day and at its end prostrating to God sujjadan is a circumstantial qualifier that is to say subservient to Him with respect to what is required of them and how they the shadows are subject? humbled they the shadows are likened to rational beings in this description.
- 16:4848
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَتَفَيَّأُ ظِلَالُهُ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ سُجَّدًا لِلَّهِ وَهُمْ دَاخِرُونَ
Do they not see the shadows of all things God has created incline to the right and the left, bowing in obeisance to God?
- common.revelation-Meccan
- common.hizb : 108