فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ 88
Translations
And he cast a look at the stars.
Transliteration
Fanazara nazratan fi an-nujum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) looking at the stars in the night sky, which forms part of his spiritual journey toward monotheism. According to classical tafsir scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, Ibrahim examined the stars to contemplate the creation and demonstrate to his people that celestial bodies cannot be worthy of worship, as they set and disappear. This moment represents Ibrahim's intellectual and spiritual progression from observing creation toward recognizing the existence of the One True God (Allah).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ibrahim in Surah As-Saffat, depicting his early life and his rejection of idolatry. The surah contextualizes this scene within Ibrahim's journey of faith, where he uses reason and observation of nature to guide his people away from polytheism. No specific asbab al-nuzul is recorded, but the broader context is Ibrahim's prophetic mission to establish tawhid (monotheism).
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific moment, Sahih Bukhari contains accounts of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasizing contemplation of creation as a means of strengthening faith. The Quran itself frequently encourages reflection on the heavens and earth as signs of Allah's existence and oneness.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that observation of the natural world and rational reflection are valid means of drawing closer to Allah and strengthening our faith. It encourages believers to use both intellect and contemplation in their spiritual journey, recognizing that every aspect of creation points to the Creator's majesty and uniqueness.