وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ 16
Translations
And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers.
Transliteration
Wa-laqad ja'alna fi as-sama'i burūjan wa-zayyannāhā li-an-nāzirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah has placed constellations (burūj) in the heavens and adorned them for those who observe them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'burūj' as the zodiacal constellations or mansions of the stars, which serve as signs for navigation and timekeeping. This ayah emphasizes Allah's creative artistry and the functionality of the celestial bodies as both beautification and practical guidance for humanity.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hijr, a Meccan chapter that extensively discusses Allah's creative power and the signs of His greatness throughout creation. The surah uses natural phenomena—stars, sky, earth, and vegetation—to point toward the reality of resurrection and Allah's omnipotence, counteracting the disbelief of the Meccan pagans who denied the resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the stars: 'The stars are a protection for the sky; when the stars go, the sky will follow them. I am a protection for my companions; when I go, tribulations will come to my companions.' (Sahih Muslim 2531). Additionally, the Qur'an mentions stars as navigational aids: 'And by the stars they [sailors] guide themselves' (16:16).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites us to reflect upon the magnificence of creation as evidence of Allah's infinite wisdom and power, encouraging contemplation of the universe as both a practical system and a profound spiritual reminder. In our modern age of disconnection from nature, this verse calls us to pause and observe the heavens, recognizing that every celestial body reflects divine purpose and design.