إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ 16
Translations
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
Transliteration
Idh yaghtash-yas-sidrah ma yaghtash
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha) being covered or overwhelmed by what covers it—interpreted by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari as referring to divine light, angels, or the unseen realm beyond human comprehension. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) witnessed this extraordinary sight during his Night Journey (Isra), a manifestation of Allah's majesty that transcends ordinary perception and language.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Najm's account of the Prophet's miraculous Night Journey to the heavens and his vision of Allah's signs. It contextualizes the Sidrah as a boundary marker in the celestial realm that even the Prophet approached with awe, emphasizing the limits of creation and the overwhelming nature of divine reality.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Night Prayer) records the Prophet's detailed account of seeing the Sidrat al-Muntaha during Isra, describing angels and divine light. Additionally, Muslim reported the Prophet's account of this vision in the context of his journey through the heavens.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's greatness transcends human comprehension and language, and that spiritual realities exist beyond our ordinary perception. It encourages humility in the face of divine mysteries and trust in the Prophet's authentic experiences, even when they surpass our understanding.