وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ 49
Translations
And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius.
Transliteration
Wa-annahu huwa Rabbu ash-shi'ra
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah alone is the Lord of Sirius (ash-Shi'ra), the brightest star visible in the night sky, refuting the pre-Islamic Arabian practice of venerating this star as a deity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this statement serves as a polemical declaration against idolatry, asserting Allah's exclusive dominion over all creation, both seen and unseen. The mention of this particular star highlights how even the most magnificent celestial bodies are merely creations under Allah's sovereignty, not objects worthy of worship.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah An-Najm, a Meccan chapter that addresses polytheistic practices of the Quraysh. The surah's theme centers on refuting idol worship and affirming monotheism. The specific mention of Sirius reflects the pre-Islamic Arabian astronomical knowledge and their cultural practice of star worship, making this a direct refutation of a widespread contemporary belief among the pagan Arabs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best du'a is the du'a on the day of Arafah, and the best of what I and the prophets before me have said is: There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing' (Tirmidhi 3585). This relates thematically to affirming Allah's unique attributes and dominion.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should recognize that all creation—no matter how grand or beautiful—serves as evidence of Allah's singular lordship and should never become objects of veneration themselves. This ayah teaches us to redirect our awe and reverence away from created things toward the Creator alone.