Surah An-Najm, revealed in Mecca, highlights key aspects of the Mi’raj—the miraculous night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Jerusalem to the seventh heaven. This extraordinary event, as narrated by the Prophet, was met with disbelief by the idolaters and caused some confusion among Muslims, particularly regarding whether the journey involved both his body and soul or only his soul.

The central theme of the Surah addresses this debate by contrasting two sources of knowledge: divine revelation and human assumptions or desires. The Surah emphasizes the superiority of divine revelation as the only reliable source for understanding Allah and the unseen realities. It also warns against relying on baseless assumptions and personal desires, urging believers to seek truth solely through the guidance provided by divine revelation.

The Surat emphasizes that any knowledge the idolators have about Allah, the angels, and the hereafter are based on false assumptions and wishful thinking. The truth can only be based on divine revelation. Allah says:

إِنۡ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءٌ۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌ۚ  إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهۡوَى ٱلۡأَنفُسُ‌ۖ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّہِمُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ (٢٣)

“Indeed, they are nothing but names you and your forefathers have named, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow nothing but assumption and what their souls desire, though guidance has come to them from their Lord” (53:23)

مَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ‌ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ‌ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغۡنِى مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا (٢٨)

“They follow nothing but a guess, and verily, guess is of no use against the truth. (53:23-28)

ذَٲلِكَ مَبۡلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ (٣٠)

“That is the extent of their knowledge. Indeed, it is your Lord Who knows best who have strayed from His Path, and He knows best who is rightly guided. (53:30)

The Surat started directly by challenging the false belief of worshipping the star Sirius (الشِعرَى) using an oath that affirms the falling of an even such radiant and awe-inspiring star:

وَٱلنَّجۡمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ (١)

By the star when it tumbles. (53:1)

The oath shows the fallibility of such false knowledge that places reverence on something that tumbles and dies. The profound truth can only be based on the revelation brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) because it is firmly rooted in divine guidance. Therefore, his account of the miraculous events of the Mi’raj must be accepted as truth and Allah affirms the prophet’s account by declaring:

مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ (٢)

 “Your companion (the Prophet) has neither gone astray nor erred.” (53:2)

The Surah confirms what the Prophet (PBUH) reported is free from illusion and that his extraordinary experiences, such as his encounter with the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) were real:

وَهُوَ بِٱلۡأُفُقِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ (٧) ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ (٨) فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوۡسَيۡنِ أَوۡ أَدۡنَىٰ (٩) فَأَوۡحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ مَآ أَوۡحَىٰ (١٠) مَا كَذَبَ ٱلۡفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ (١١) أَفَتُمَـٰرُونَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ (١٢) وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ نَزۡلَةً أُخۡرَىٰ (١٣) عِندَ سِدۡرَةِ ٱلۡمُنتَهَىٰ (١٤)

“While he [Jibril] was in the highest part of the horizon (7), he approached and came closer, until he was at a distance of two bows’ length or even nearer. (9) So He (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad] what He revealed. (10) Never did the heart deny what it saw. (11) Will you then dispute with him about what he saw? (12) And indeed, he saw him [Jibril] at a second descent, (13) near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (the lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass).”  (53:7-14)

The Surah emphasizes that what the Prophet (PBUH) reported was something he physically witnessed with his own eyes, not merely a vision.

مَا زَاغَ ٱلۡبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ (١٧)

The sight did not waver, nor did it exceed any limit. (53:17)

The Surah reiterates that all the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed was revelation delivered by the Holy Spirit (Jibril), making it the most reliable source of knowledge:

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ (٣) إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡىٌ۬ يُوحَىٰ (٤) عَلَّمَهُ ۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡقُوَىٰ (٥)

“And he does not speak from his own inclination. (3) It is nothing, but a revelation revealed (4) Taught to him by one of mighty power” (53:3-5)

True knowledge must translate into action, as Allah holds everyone accountable for their deeds:

وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيَجۡزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔواْ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَيَجۡزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَى (٣١)

“To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, so that He gives punishment to evildoers from what they did and rewards those who did good with best reward.” (53:31)

Allah defined the traits of those who do good and will be rewarded with best rewards:

ٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٲسِعُ ٱلۡمَغۡفِرَةِ‌ۚ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِكُمۡ إِذۡ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِذۡ أَنتُمۡ أَجِنَّةٌ۬ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ‌ۖ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ

Those who abstain from major sins and shameful deeds except minor ones. Indeed, your Lord is extensive forgiveness. He knows you more than anyone else (from the time) He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers.  So, do not claim purity for yourselves, He knows best who has Taqwa. (53:32)

Reflecting on this verse requires defining the major sins (كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ) and shameful deeds (ٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ), as these must be avoided by every Muslim. These definitions can be derived through thoughtful reflection on the Quran. While we have discussed them previously, they are listed here as a reminder:

List of Major Sins

1. Associating partners with Allah (Shirk) (Al-Nisa 4:48)
2. Neglecting prayer (Salah) (Maryam 19:59) (Al-Mudathir 74:42-43)
3. Murder (Taking a life unjustly) (Al-Maeda 5:32)
4. Consuming usury (Riba) (Al-Baqara 2:278-279)
5. Consuming the wealth of orphans (Al-Nisa 4:10)
6. Adultery or fornication (Zina) (Al-Isra 17:32)
7. Slandering chaste women (Al-Nour 24:4)
8. Breaking covenants (Al-Emran 3:77)
9. Drinking alcohol or Gambling (Al-Maeda 5:90-91)
10. Despairing of the mercy of Allah (Yusuf 12:87) (Al-Hijr 15:56)
11. Undutiful to parents (Maryam 19:14) (Luqman 31:14-15)
12. Severing ties of kinship (Muhammad 47:22-23)
13. False testimony (Al-Baqarah 2:283)
14. Fleeing from battle (Al-Anfal 8:15-16)

List of Shameful deeds (Fawahish) (Immoralities)

1. Adultery and fornication (Al-Isra 17: 32)
2. Homosexuality – The Immorality of the People of Lot (Al-A’raf 7: 80)
3. Speaking About Allah Without Knowledge (Al-Araf 7: 33)

The verse warns against claiming purity for ourselves or others, as only Allah truly knows who possesses Taqwa. This is because human judgment is limited to outward actions, while Allah has complete knowledge of both the outward and inward aspects of a person. These two dimensions—outward actions and inward sincerity—are the manifestations of Taqwa (God-consciousness combined with Ihsan) and also Iman (faith). Since the inward state resides in the heart and is known only to Allah, we are incapable of making definitive judgments about anyone’s inner purity. Therefore, we cannot assert with certainty that someone has Taqwa. At most, we can say, “We consider him to be a person of Taqwa,” while acknowledging that Allah knows best. Only Allah has absolute knowledge of who truly possesses Taqwa.

The Surah highlights universal truths shared by all of humanity, emphasizing that these are manifestations of the Oneness of the Creator. Among these truths are the expressions of extreme emotions—whether joy or grief—which are universally experienced by all people, regardless of language or culture. Additionally, the Surah affirms that Allah alone is responsible for both the beginning and the end of human life on earth, as well as the initiation of life in the Hereafter.

وَأَنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ أَضۡحَكَ وَأَبۡكَىٰ (٤٣) وَأَنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحۡيَا (٤٤)

“And that He it is Who makes one laugh and makes one weep, (43) And that He it is Who gives death and gives life.” (53:43-44)

In addition to its significance in relation to the miraculous journey, this Surah also holds an important historical account. During Ramadan in the fifth year of revelation, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) entered the Kaaba, where a large gathering of Quraish leaders and notable figures was present. He began reciting Surat An-Najm. The majestic and awe-inspiring words of Allah took them by surprise, leaving them completely stunned.

For the first time, the Quraish polytheists were profoundly affected by the revelation. Previously, their tactic had been to dishonor the message by refusing to listen to it and creating noise to prevent others from hearing. However, when the captivating words of Allah reached their hearts directly, they were entranced and became completely absorbed in the divine message.

The Prophet (PBUH) ended by his recitation with the powerful and climactic ending verses:

هَـٰذَا نَذِيرٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلۡأُولَىٰٓ (٥٦) أَزِفَتِ ٱلۡأَزِفَةُ (٥٧) لَيۡسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ (٥٨) أَفَمِنۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ تَعۡجَبُونَ (٥٩) وَتَضۡحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبۡكُونَ (٦٠) وَأَنتُمۡ سَـٰمِدُونَ (٦١) فَٱسۡجُدُواْ لِلَّهِ وَٱعۡبُدُواْ ۩ (٦٢)

“This [Quran] is a warning, like the earlier warnings. (56) The imminent Judgment is drawing ever closer. (57) And none besides Allah can avert it. (58) Are you astonished by this statement? And you laugh and do not weep. (59) Wasting your time in heedlessness? (60) So, prostrate to Allah and worship Him!” (53:56-62)

 Upon hearing the concluding command, ‏‏{‏فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا‏}‏ “Prostrate to Allah and worship Him,” the idolaters, overwhelmed by the majesty of the words, involuntarily fell into prostration in awe and reverence for Allah.

This remarkable incident was later misreported to the Muslim emigrants in Abyssinia (Ethiopia). They were informed that the Quraish had embraced Islam, prompting them to begin their return to Makkah. However, upon reaching just an hour’s distance from the city in Shawwal of the same year, they learned the true situation: Quraish had not embraced Islam.

Some of the emigrants chose to return to Abyssinia, while others entered Makkah either secretly or with the protection of a local ally. This incident underscores the impact of the Quran’s message, even on its staunchest opponents, and the challenges faced by the early Muslim community.

 

Appendix 1: The death of stars

Stars, like all creations, experience a finite lifespan that spans billions of years. Ultimately, everything perishes except for Allah, who is eternal and beyond death, as He is the Creator of life and death.

The death of a star begins when its core exhausts its supply of hydrogen fuel. As the hydrogen depletes, the core contracts under the force of gravity, causing an increase in temperature. This rise in temperature heats the surrounding layers, prompting them to expand. As a result, the star’s radius increases significantly, transforming it into a red giant.

At this stage, the core becomes sufficiently hot to initiate the fusion of helium into carbon. Once the helium fuel is depleted, the core undergoes expansion and cooling. Simultaneously, the star’s outer layers are expelled into space, forming a planetary nebula—a cloud of gas and dust surrounding the dying star.

Ultimately, the core cools and contracts into a white dwarf. Over time, this white dwarf will cool further, eventually transitioning into a black dwarf. The entire sequence of a star’s death unfolds over billions of years.

 

Appendix 2: List of Shameful deeds (Fawahish (Immoralities)

Fawahish encompasses all vile and sinful acts that contradict human nature and Islamic law, whether visible or hidden. These acts are condemned because of their severe harm and their transgression of the rights of Allah and others.

1. Adultery and fornication (Al-Isra 17: 32)

“وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا )   الإسراء(

“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”(Al-Isra 17: 32)

2. homosexuality – The Immorality of the People of Lot (Al-A’raf 7: 80)

وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ)  الأعراف(

“And [We sent] Lot, when he said to his people, ‘Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds?'” (Al-A’raf 7: 80)

3. Speaking About Allah Without Knowledge (Al-Araf 7: 33)

“قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالْإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ)  الأعراف: 33(

“Say, ‘My Lord has only forbidden immoralities—what is apparent of them and what is concealed—and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'” (Al-Araf 7: 33)