مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ 17
Translations
The sight [of the Prophet (ﷺ)] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
Transliteration
Mā zāgha al-basaru wa mā ṭaghā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) vision during his miraculous Night Journey (Isra), where his sight neither deviated nor exceeded its bounds as he witnessed the signs of Allah. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this describes the Prophet's perfect composure and steadfast vision when he saw Jibril in his true angelic form and the wonders of the heavens, affirming the authenticity and reality of his prophetic experience. The ayah emphasizes that the Prophet's perception was accurate and divinely guided, neither distorted by fear nor transgressing the limits of what Allah permitted him to witness.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the context of Surah An-Najm (53:1-18), which details the Prophet's account of the Night Journey (Isra) and Ascension (Miraj). The surah was revealed in Mecca to vindicate the Prophet's extraordinary experience and strengthen the believers' faith in his prophethood, particularly after the disbelievers mocked this miraculous event.
Related Hadiths
Surah An-Najm (53:1-18) is directly referenced in the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet describes seeing Jibril in his true form. Additionally, the hadith of the Isra and Miraj in multiple collections (Sahih Muslim, Jami' at-Tirmidhi) relates to the Prophet's clear vision during this night journey.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to trust in the Prophet's authentic account of his divine experiences and reminds us that true perception comes from Allah's guidance, not from the distortions of doubt or transgression. It encourages steadfastness in faith and confidence in the reality of the unseen realm that Allah has revealed to His messengers.