Al-Buruj | The Mansions of the Stars
[85:1] I swear by the sky, the one having stellar formations,
[85:2] and by the Promised Day,
[85:3] and by that which attends, and that which is attended,
[85:4] cursed were the People of the Trench,
[85:5] the (people of the) fire that was rich with fuel,
[85:6] when they were sitting by it,
[85:7] and were watching what they were doing with the believers.
[85:8] They punished them for nothing but that they believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the Worthy of All Praise,
[85:9] the One to whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is witness over everything.
[85:10] Surely
[85:1] I swear by the sky, the one having stellar formations,
[85:2] and by the Promised Day,
[85:3] and by that which attends, and that which is attended,
[85:4] cursed were the People of the Trench,
[85:5] the (people of the) fire that was rich with fuel,
[85:6] when they were sitting by it,
[85:7] and were watching what they were doing with the believers.
[85:8] They punished them for nothing but that they believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the Worthy of All Praise,
[85:9] the One to whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is witness over everything.
[85:10] Surely
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Buruj
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Buruj is the 85th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Buruj” translates to “The Mansions of the Stars,” referring to the constellations or the great celestial structures, indicating the vastness and majesty of Allah’s creation.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 22 verses. It discusses the persecution of believers, divine justice, and the ultimate triumph of faith over tyranny, using the story of the People of the Ditch as a central example.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the persecution of the faithful, the certainty of divine retribution, the witness of God over all events, and the ultimate accountability of all beings before Allah.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Buruj is significant for its emphasis on steadfastness in faith, the importance of moral accountability, and the assurance of divine justice, offering comfort and warning to believers and oppressors alike.
Detailed Explanation
- Celestial Witness: The surah begins by swearing by the sky, adorned with constellations, and by the promised Day of Judgment, establishing a scene of divine omnipresence and the inevitability of judgment.
- Story of the People of the Ditch: It recounts the tragic tale of believers who were persecuted and thrown into a trench of fire for their faith, highlighting the extremes of religious persecution and the steadfastness of the believers.
- Divine Retribution: The surah emphasizes that those who persecute believers, denying God’s signs, will face severe punishment, illustrating the principle of divine justice that wrongdoers will be held accountable.
- Consolation and Warning: The narrative provides consolation to the oppressed, affirming that God is aware of their suffering and will deliver justice, while serving as a warning to oppressors about the consequences of their actions.
- Universal Message: While rooted in a specific historical event, the surah’s message is universal, addressing all times and places where faith is tested by tyranny and oppression.
FAQs
- Why is the surah named “The Mansions of the Stars”?
- The surah is named “The Mansions of the Stars” to draw attention to the grandeur and precision of Allah’s creation, serving as a testament to His power and the seriousness of the oaths made in the surah.
- What does the story of the People of the Ditch signify?
- The story signifies the trials faced by believers throughout history, the extreme consequences of rejecting faith, and the eternal principles of divine justice and the triumph of truth over falsehood.
- How does Surah Al-Buruj address the theme of divine justice?
- It addresses divine justice by illustrating that while oppressors may seem powerful, their ultimate end is destruction and loss, whereas the faithful, though they may suffer in this world, will receive God’s protection and reward.
- What lesson can believers derive from Surah Al-Buruj?
- Believers can derive lessons on resilience in the face of persecution, the importance of upholding justice, the value of patience and faith, and the assurance that Allah is always watching and will hold every soul accountable.
- The surah is named “The Mansions of the Stars” to draw attention to the grandeur and precision of Allah’s creation, serving as a testament to His power and the seriousness of the oaths made in the surah.
- The story signifies the trials faced by believers throughout history, the extreme consequences of rejecting faith, and the eternal principles of divine justice and the triumph of truth over falsehood.
- It addresses divine justice by illustrating that while oppressors may seem powerful, their ultimate end is destruction and loss, whereas the faithful, though they may suffer in this world, will receive God’s protection and reward.
- Believers can derive lessons on resilience in the face of persecution, the importance of upholding justice, the value of patience and faith, and the assurance that Allah is always watching and will hold every soul accountable.
Read more