Short answer
Bow to the One who made the sun, not to the sun. The Qur'an says: "Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them" (41:37). Each New Year, many people in Japan go out to see the first sunrise. Amaterasu is honoured as the kami (sacred being) of the sun, and the Inner Shrine at Ise is dedicated to her. Islam welcomes the wonder and the thanks, and asks only where they are sent. Abraham watched the star, the moon and the sun, and saw that each one sets. He turned to the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:76-79). Islam sends the wonder and the thanks to the One who made the sun and set its course (36:38).
Full explanation
Amaterasu, the kami of the sun
Amaterasu Omikami is honoured as the kami of the sun. A kami is a sacred being or presence. The translator Chamberlain renders the word "Deity". Scholars of Shinto, such as Norman Havens at Kokugakuin University, say that a kami is not a god in the Western sense. The Nihon Shoki calls her the Sun-Goddess, in Aston's English. The Inner Shrine at Ise is dedicated to Amaterasu. A sacred mirror, a symbol of her, is enshrined there. This page speaks of her courteously, as the Qur'an asks (6:108).
The shrine's own English page says the Inner Shrine (Kotaijingu, or Naiku) is dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, and that the Holy Mirror, a symbol of her, is enshrined inside the main sacred palace in the innermost courtyard of the main sanctuary.
A Kokugakuin University paper on the kami concept. It calls "God" an inapt translation of kami, and says the kami idea does not point to a principle or being apart from creation but to a quality of being that takes part in the unity of existence. It quotes Ueda Kenji that both the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki speak of a preexisting substance from which the kami came to be. It reports Ueda Kenji's view that the earliest Japanese myths lack any creator deity.
“They then together produced the Sun-Goddess, who was called Oho-hiru-me no muchi.”
“Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.”
Greeting the first sunrise of the year
At New Year many people in Japan go out to see the first sunrise of the year. The custom is called hatsuhinode. It is thought a good way to begin the year. Many also visit a shrine or temple in the first days of the year (hatsumode). On mountains such as Mount Fuji, climbers time their ascent to see the sunrise from the top. Islam does not mock it.
Describes the first sunrise of the year (hatsu-hinode) as the best way to start 1 January, an auspicious day, and a sign of the year ahead. It also describes the New Year visit to a shrine or temple (hatsumode). Its Mount Fuji page says that most climbers time their ascent to see the sunrise from the summit.
What the old books say of her beginning
The Kojiki (presented in 712) says that Amaterasu came into being when Izanagi washed his left eye. Its translator Chamberlain renders her name as the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity. He writes that she was "born", but the Japanese verb means that she came into being. The Nihon Shoki (720) tells her beginning more than once and sets the versions side by side. In its main text, Izanagi and Izanami together produced the Sun-Goddess. In a version set beside it, she was produced by Izanagi's washing of his left eye. This page tells no more of the story than this.
“The name of the Deity that was born as he thereupon washed his left august eye was the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity.”
“They then together produced the Sun-Goddess, who was called Oho-hiru-me no muchi.”
“Thereafter, a Deity was produced by his washing his left eye, which was called Ama-terasu-no-oho-Kami.”
Prostrate to Allah (﷾), who created the sun
The Qur'an names the night and the day, the sun and the moon as Signs of Allah (﷾). It then gives a rule and a reason. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon. Prostrate to Allah (﷾), who created them. The reason is plain. What was made is a sign, and the worship belongs to its Maker. The Qur'an asks no one to think less of the sun's beauty. It asks that the bow be made to the One who made it.
“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.”
“"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah;”
Abraham and the things that set
The Qur'an tells how Abraham looked at a star, the moon and the sun in turn. Of each he said, "This is my Lord", and each one set. He then said that he does not love what sets. He turned his face to the One who created the heavens and the earth. The Qur'an calls this the reasoning that Allah (﷾) gave Abraham to use against his people (6:83). So it is his argument, not a stage in his belief. The commentator Ibn Kathir explains that Abraham was showing his people that what rises and sets cannot be a god. Anyone can follow it: whatever sets, or has a beginning, is a thing made, and the Maker stands beyond it.
“When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."”
“That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.”
Notes that the commentators differed over whether Abraham was reflecting for himself or debating his people, and that Ibn Jarir al-Tabari chose reflection. Holds that the truth is debate: Abraham was showing his people that the heavenly bodies they worshipped, which are set to a fixed course, rise and set and have no power of their own, cannot be gods.
The sun is a Sign, and the thanks go to Allah (﷾)
Islam does not call the sun small. The Qur'an says that the sun runs a course that Allah (﷾) has set. It says that He made the sun a shining glory. It records Allah (﷾) swearing by the sun and by the moon that follows it. These are His Signs, and they point beyond themselves. Alongside the Signs comes a command to thank Him: "Be grateful to Me". So the awe at a sunrise is not turned away. It is given an address.
“And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk. It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).”
“It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand.”
“By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; By the Moon as she follows him;”
“Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not Faith.”
“we bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman: "Show (thy) gratitude to Allah." Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul: but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, Worthy of all praise.”
The One who has no beginning
Whatever comes into being was made, and the Qur'an turns worship to the One who has no beginning. He is the First and the Last (57:3), and there is none like Him (112:4). This is the heart of Islam as a way of life: one Creator, and prayer, family and character turned towards Him.
“He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things.”
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.”
An invitation to read
The Qur'an asks to be read with care. It was brought by Muhammad (ﷺ), the last of the Prophets, who was sent to all people. Islam is a complete way of life, with one Creator at its centre. Muslims invite every reader to read the Qur'an, to consider the man who brought it, and to see whether its answer holds.
“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.”
“Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."”
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
Eight replies answered
Kojiki, Volume 1, section 10 (Chamberlain Sect. X), paragraph 3 — The Purification of the August Person
“The name of the Deity that was born as he thereupon washed his left august eye was the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity.”
Cited for
We do not worship the sun's disc. Amaterasu is a kami, and a kami is not the sun.
The response
That is granted, and this page does not say that anyone worships a disc. The verse names the sun and the moon and gives its reason: Allah (﷾) created them (41:37). The Kojiki says that Amaterasu came into being, and the Nihon Shoki that she was produced. Whatever comes into being was made. Worship is for the Maker alone (72:18).
Where it lands — Whether she is the sun or a kami behind it, the Qur'an's reason is the same. What was made is not to be worshipped.
Japan-guide.com: New Year and Mount Fuji
Describes the first sunrise of the year (hatsu-hinode) as the best way to start 1 January, an auspicious day, and a sign of the year ahead. It also describes the New Year visit to a shrine or temple (hatsumode). Its Mount Fuji page says that most climbers time their ascent to see the sunrise from the summit.
Cited for
Greeting the first sunrise is thanks for a new year, not worship. Nobody is asking the sun for anything.
The response
Thanks are not the question, and Islam commands them: "Be grateful to Me" (2:152). The question is who receives them. The sun runs a course that was set for it (36:38-40). The thanks for the light, the warmth and the year belong to the One who set it.
Where it lands — Gratitude is welcomed. The Qur'an asks that it be sent to the Giver.
Immanent Legitimation: Reflections on the Kami Concept
A Kokugakuin University paper on the kami concept. It calls "God" an inapt translation of kami, and says the kami idea does not point to a principle or being apart from creation but to a quality of being that takes part in the unity of existence. It quotes Ueda Kenji that both the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki speak of a preexisting substance from which the kami came to be. It reports Ueda Kenji's view that the earliest Japanese myths lack any creator deity.
Cited for
A kami is not a god in the Western sense, not a creator or an all-powerful ruler. You are arguing against an idea we do not hold.
The response
Then this page does not say that kami are creators. It says that the question of a Creator is still open. If the kami are part of the world, who made the world? The Qur'an names Him as the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:79). The page "Is there one Creator behind the kami?" takes this up.
Where it lands — If a kami is not the Creator, the Creator is still to be named, and the Qur'an names Him.
Qur'an 91:1-2 — Surat al-Shams (The Sun), verses 1-2
“By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; By the Moon as she follows him;”
Cited for
The Qur'an itself swears by the sun and the moon. Islam honours them too.
The response
Allah (﷾) swears by what He made, to draw the reader's eye to His Signs. The oath is His. It does not make the sun a thing to prostrate to, and the same Book says not to (41:37). The Qur'an keeps the splendour of the sun and gives the worship to its Maker.
Where it lands — The Qur'an praises the sun as a Sign and forbids bowing to it.
Sahih al-Bukhari 585 — Kitab Mawaqit al-Salah (Book of the Times of the Prayers), hadith 585
Ibn Umar reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: none of you should try to pray at sunrise or sunset.
Cited for
Muslims time their prayers by the sun, and the dawn prayer is said as the sun comes up. That looks like greeting the sunrise too.
The response
The sun serves as a clock for the times of prayer, and the prayer is made to Allah (﷾). The dawn prayer is said before the sun rises. The Prophet (ﷺ) also told Muslims not to try to pray at sunrise or sunset (Bukhari 585). Nothing in the prayer is aimed at the sun.
Where it lands — Islam uses the sun to tell the time and sends the prayer to Allah (﷾) alone.
Qur'an 6:76-79 — Surat al-An'am (The Cattle), verses 76-79
“When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."”
Cited for
Abraham's test is about stars and a sun that set. Amaterasu is a kami, not a star, so the test does not touch her.
The response
Abraham's argument does not stop at the stars. It ends in a turn to the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:79). Whatever comes into being has a beginning, and the old books say she came into being. The Qur'an calls this reasoning a gift to Abraham (6:83), and it is open to anyone.
Where it lands — The turn to the Creator of the heavens and the earth is the answer to anything that was made, star or kami.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1597 — Kitab al-Hajj (Book of Pilgrimage), hadith 1597
Abis ibn Rabi'a reports that Umar came to the Black Stone and kissed it. Umar said that he knew it was a stone that could neither harm nor benefit, and that had he not seen the Prophet (ﷺ) kiss it, he would not have kissed it.
Cited for
Muslims bow towards the Kaaba and kiss the Black Stone. How is that different from bowing towards the sacred mirror?
The response
The Kaaba is the direction of prayer, not the one prayed to. The Qur'an says righteousness is not in turning to east or west (2:177). Umar kissed the Black Stone and said he knew it was a stone that could neither harm nor benefit (Bukhari 1597). The prayer itself is to Allah (﷾) alone (72:18). The page "Do Muslims worship the Kaaba and the Black Stone?" takes this further.
Where it lands — A direction for prayer is not an object of worship. The Muslim's prayer goes to Allah (﷾) alone.
Qur'an 41:37 — Surat Fussilat (Explained in detail), verse 37
“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.”
Cited for
Must I stop watching the sunrise or going to see the first sun of the year?
The response
Seeing a sunrise with wonder is not the question. The Qur'an's rule is about whom we prostrate to (41:37). A Muslim may look at the sun as one of Allah's (﷾) Signs, and may give thanks to Him for it (10:5; 31:12). The page "If I become Muslim, what happens to my family's customs?" explains what stays, and which questions to take to a scholar.
Where it lands — Wonder is kept. Worship and prostration go to Allah (﷾) alone.
Perspectives
Shinto: Amaterasu is the kami of the sun
A Shinto believer replies that Amaterasu is a kami, a sacred being honoured at shrines such as Ise. She is not the sun's disc. Greeting the first sunrise is thanks and a fresh start, and a kami is not a god in the Western sense.
Shrine Shinto, as practised in Japan
We do not worship the sun's disc. Amaterasu is a kami, honoured at the Inner Shrine at Ise, where a sacred mirror, a symbol of her, is enshrined. She is not the sun itself.
Rebuttal
Granted. The Qur'an gives a reason that covers both: the sun and the moon were created (41:37). The Kojiki says she came into being, and what comes into being was made. Worship is for the Maker alone (72:18).
Greeting the first sunrise of the year is thanks and a fresh start, not worship.
Rebuttal
Thanks are right, and the Qur'an commands them (31:12). But thanks go to the giver, and the Qur'an names Him: the One who set the sun on its course (36:38-40).
A kami is not a god in the Western sense. It is a quality of being that takes part in the world, so there is no clash with one Creator.
Rebuttal
Then the question is still open: who made the world in which the kami take part? The Qur'an names the One who created the heavens and the earth (6:79).
Awe at the sunrise is natural and good.
Rebuttal
Granted, and Islam keeps the awe. The Qur'an calls the night, the day, the sun and the moon His Signs (41:37), and the sun a shining glory (10:5).
What the old books say of her beginning
The Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki both tell how Amaterasu came to be. The Kojiki says she came into being at Izanagi's washing. The Nihon Shoki gives more than one account and sets them side by side. In each she comes into being or is produced.
The Kojiki says that Amaterasu, the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity in Chamberlain's rendering, came into being when Izanagi washed his left eye. Chamberlain's English says "born".
In the main text of the Nihon Shoki, Izanagi and Izanami together produced the Sun-Goddess.
A version that the Nihon Shoki sets beside its main text says a kami was produced by Izanagi's washing of his left eye. She was called Amaterasu.
The Islamic perspective
Islam gives the awe and the thanks an address. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but to Allah (﷾), who created them. Abraham's reasoning from what sets to the One who made the heavens and the earth is open to anyone. Belief, worship and character together make one way of life.
The Qur'an forbids prostrating to the sun and the moon, and gives the reason: Allah (﷾) created them.
Abraham reasoned from the star, the moon and the sun, each of which sets, to the One who created the heavens and the earth. The Qur'an says Allah (﷾) gave him this reasoning to use against his people.
The Qur'an treats the sun as a Sign. It runs its course by a decree, it is a shining glory that Allah (﷾) made, and He swears by it.
Thanks belong to Allah (﷾). The Qur'an says: "Be grateful to Me", and that gratitude is to the profit of the one who gives it.
No one is to be invoked along with Allah (﷾). He is the One and Only, and there is none like Him.
The Prophet (ﷺ) told Muslims not to try to pray at sunrise or sunset. Prayer is made to Allah (﷾), so no prayer is aimed at the sun.