وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلْبُرُوجِ 1
Translations
By the sky containing great stars
Transliteration
Wa-al-sama'i dhat al-buruj
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Buruj is an oath (qasam) by Allah swearing by the heavens adorned with constellations or mansions (buruj). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that 'buruj' refers to the twelve zodiacal constellations or the great stars that serve as landmarks in the sky. This powerful opening establishes the magnificence of creation and draws attention to the cosmic order as a sign of Allah's divine power and wisdom, leading into the surah's themes of divine justice and protection.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Buruj is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) ministry. The surah was revealed to strengthen the believers' faith during a time of persecution, using cosmic imagery and the account of the People of the Ditch to assure Muslims of Allah's ultimate justice and protection over His faithful servants.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best du'a (supplication) is the du'a of the Day of Arafah, and the best words I and the Prophets before me have spoken are the words: There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partners.' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, Hadith Qudsi relates to divine oaths in the Quran, emphasizing their significance in drawing believers' attention to divine signs.
Themes
Key Lesson
Reflecting upon the magnificent order and beauty of the heavens reminds us of Allah's infinite power and wisdom, and should inspire awe, humility, and conscious awareness (taqwa) in our hearts. The vastness of creation is an invitation to recognize our smallness before the Almighty and to align our lives with divine values and justice.