Surah Al-Qamar (The Moon): (11) So We opened the gates of the heaven...

Following his supplication, and in this [verse] there are several issues:

Issue 1: Are the meanings of "opening," "gates," and "heaven" literal, or are they metaphorical?

We say there are two opinions on this:

1. The first opinion: They are literal. The heaven has gates that open and close, and there is no impossibility in this.
2. The second opinion: It is by way of metaphor (isti'arah). The apparent meaning is that the water came from the clouds. In this case, it is like when someone says regarding heavy rain, "The spouts of the heaven opened," or "the mouths of the waterskins opened." It is as if that were the case. The rain during the Flood was so intense that one would say, "The gates of heaven were opened." Undoubtedly, the rain coming from above was pouring down intensely.

Issue 2: The statement of the Almighty, {So We opened} (ففتحنا), what does it signify?

This statement clarifies that Allah granted them victory and exacted vengeance using water, not by sending down an army, just as He says (in Surah Ya-Sin): {And We did not send down upon his people after him any army from the heaven, nor did We need to send [one]. It was not but one blast} (36:28-29). This demonstrates the perfection of His power. It is also remarkable that they had been asking for rain for years, yet He destroyed them by means of what they requested.

Issue 3: What is the function and position of the preposition bā’ (ب) in His statement, {with a gushing water} (بماء منهمر)?

We say there are two interpretations for this:

1. The first interpretation: It is like the statement of one who says, "I opened the door with a key." The implication here is to make it seem as if the water itself came and opened the door. This aligns with the interpretation of those who say, "May Allah open for you with goodness" (i.e., He decrees goodness that comes and opens the door). Within this interpretation lies a subtle point, one of the marvels of meaning: the intended result is presented as having preceded in existence. It is as if your objective came to a closed door, opened it, and reached you. Similarly, the saying, "Perhaps Allah will open [a way] with sustenance," means He decrees sustenance that comes to the door, which was seemingly closed, and pushes it open. Thus, Allah opened it by the sustenance.
2. The second interpretation: {We opened the gates of the heaven} is coupled with {with a gushing water} (بماء منهمر). Inhimār (انهمار) means pouring out and flowing intensely. The reality is that the rain emerges from the heaven (which is the cloud) as a trickling from its container. On that day, however, it emerged as a sending forth, exiting through a gate.

Then the Almighty said: