Sura al-Najm
53
Introduction of Surah
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the All-Merciful
53:1. By the star when it sets,*
* According to some scholars, the star also refers to Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), when he ascended to the ends of the Heavens to meet Allah during the Night of Ascension and then descended back to the world. It is stated by Imam Ja‘far b. Muhammad al-Sadiq, al-Akhfash, al-Tustari, al-Sulami and others. See: al-Baghawi, al-Qurtubi, al-Khazin, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Tha‘labi, al-Shawkani, al-Alusi and others.
والنجم إذا هوى
(al-Najm, 53 : 1)
53:5. The Lord of Mighty Power taught him,
علمه شديد القوى
(al-Najm, 53 : 5)
53:8. Then He (Allah) drew nearer (to Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) approaching so close,*
* Imam al-Bukhari has reported a hadith in al-Jami‘ al-Sahih supporting these meanings from the venerable Companion Anas b. Malik. Moreover, ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas, Imam al-Hasan al-Basri, Imam Ja‘far b. Muhammad al-Sadiq, Muhammad b. Ka‘b al-Qurazi, al-Dahhak and many other leading exegetes hold the same view. See: al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Baghawi, al-Razi, al-Khazin, Abu al-Sa‘ud, al-Qurtubi, al-Tha‘labi, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Suyuti, and others.
ثم دنا فتدلى
(al-Najm, 53 : 8)
53:13. And indeed, he saw Him another time,*
* These meanings are based on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, ‘Ikrima, al-Hasan al-Basri, Muhammad b. Ka‘b al-Qurazi, Abu al-‘Aliya al-Riyahi, ‘Ata’ b. Abi Rabah, Ka‘b al-Ahbar, Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal, Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari and many others.
ولقد رآه نزلة أخرى
(al-Najm, 53 : 13)
53:15. by which is the Garden of the Abode,
عندها جنة المأوى
(al-Najm, 53 : 15)
53:23. These (idols) are only names you have made up—you and your fathers. Allah has not sent down any authority with them. They (the idolators) follow only conjectures and whatever their lower souls desire, although guidance from their Lord has already come to them.
إن هي إلا أسماء سميتموها أنتم وآباؤكم ما أنزل الله بها من سلطان إن يتبعون إلا الظن وما تهوى الأنفس ولقد جاءهم من ربهم الهدى
(al-Najm, 53 : 23)
53:26. (Imagine) how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession will be of no benefit (to these idolaters). But (it will become beneficial only) after Allah grants permission to whomever He pleases and approves.
وكم من ملك في السماوات لا تغني شفاعتهم شيئا إلا من بعد أن يأذن الله لمن يشاء ويرضى
(al-Najm, 53 : 26)
53:31. To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, so He may requite the evildoers for what they have done and reward the virtuous with the most beautiful goodness.
ولله ما في السماوات وما في الأرض ليجزي الذين أساؤوا بما عملوا ويجزي الذين أحسنوا بالحسنى
(al-Najm, 53 : 31)
53:32. (They are) the ones who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, except minor mistakes (or the passing thoughts of sin). Surely, your Lord is liberal in forgiving. He knows you best since He originated your life from the earth and since you were embryos in the wombs of your mothers. So do not attribute purity to your souls. He knows best who is God-conscious.
الذين يجتنبون كبائر الإثم والفواحش إلا اللمم إن ربك واسع المغفرة هو أعلم بكم إذ أنشأكم من الأرض وإذ أنتم أجنة في بطون أمهاتكم فلا تزكوا أنفسكم هو أعلم بمن اتقى
(al-Najm, 53 : 32)
53:39. And that nothing belongs to human being (as his right) except what he strives for.*
As for Allah’s Grace, there are no limits. He can grant whatever He wills to whomever He pleases, as stated in Sura al-Nur, verse 38: “So that Allah may reward them for the best of what they have performed and give them more out of His grace. And Allah provides for whomever He pleases without any measure.”
وأن ليس للإنسان إلا ما سعى
(al-Najm, 53 : 39)
53:46. from a fertilised egg (i.e. a zygote*) when settled (into the mother’s womb).
* In Arabic, the word ‘al-nutfa’ is mentioned, and it refers to a zygote, which is a mixture of male and female gametes. It is the new single cell formed after the union of a sperm and ovum.
