وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ 38
Translations
And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.
Transliteration
Wa-ash-shamsu tajree li-mustaqarrin laha, dhaalik taqdīru-l-'azīzi-l-'alīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the sun's continuous motion in its appointed orbit or course (mustaqarr), emphasizing that this precise celestial movement is part of Allah's perfect design and decree. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'mustaqarr' as the sun's fixed trajectory or appointed time/place of rest, signifying Allah's meticulous ordering of creation. The ayah concludes by attributing this cosmic order to Allah's supreme power (al-'azīz) and infinite knowledge (al-'alīm), reinforcing that all celestial mechanics reflect divine wisdom.
Revelation Context
Surah Ya-Sin (36) is a Meccan surah primarily concerned with addressing disbelief and affirming monotheism and the resurrection. This particular ayah appears within a section (36:37-40) that presents astronomical phenomena as evidence of Allah's oneness and perfect creation, meant to persuade the Meccan polytheists to recognize the Creator's majesty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, 'The sun and the moon are two of Allah's signs; they are not eclipsed because of anyone's death or life' (Sahih Bukhari 3200). Additionally, 'Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah' (Quran 57:1) complements the theme of creation's testimony to divine order.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to contemplate the natural world as evidence of Allah's perfect design and wisdom, encouraging us to move beyond material explanations to recognize the Creator behind all cosmic phenomena. It teaches that awareness of divine order in nature should strengthen our faith and remind us that Allah controls all affairs with perfect knowledge and power.