وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ 1
Translations
By the star when it descends,
Transliteration
Wal-najmi idha hawa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah An-Najm with an oath (qasam) by the star when it descends or falls. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'an-najm' (the star) as referring to the Pleiades constellation, while 'idha hawa' (when it descends) refers to its setting or descent below the horizon. The oath is invoked to emphasize the truthfulness of the revelation that follows, particularly regarding Prophet Muhammad's vision of the Angel Gabriel and the revelations he received.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early period of the Prophet's mission. It addresses the disbelievers' denial of the Prophet's revelations and visions, particularly referencing the Prophet's encounter with Angel Gabriel at Sidratu'l-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). The opening oaths serve to validate the divine origin of what is being communicated.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3232) describes the Prophet's vision of Gabriel in his true form with 600 wings, which is directly connected to the surah's theme. Additionally, the hadith about the Prophet's Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj) provides context for understanding the profound revelations referenced in this surah.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as the stars follow their ordained courses faithfully, believers are reminded to trust in God's divine guidance and the truthfulness of the Prophet's message, recognizing that both the celestial order and spiritual revelation bear witness to God's wisdom and power.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ
Then he approached and descended
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ
They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allāh has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.