Chapter 85 - 28
The Constellations (Surah Al-Buruj)
(22 verses in total; revealed in Makkah)
In this short chapter, God swears by the heavenly construct of stars and constellations, the Day of Judgement and constant presence of beings and mechanisms who witness and collect evidence as part of the natural order of our universe. This backdrop adds to the gravity of the warning to those who oppress innocent human beings and do injustice.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· The wonders of nature are God’s creation and reflect a construct that is well documented and witnessed by divine decree
· Oppression of people of faith and goodness are condemned with the strongest term and warned of severe consequences that is sure to follow as experienced by Pharoah and other generations
· God’s sovereignty extends over everything, and God’s watch includes everyone – those who do good and those who practice evils
· This Qur’an is well preserved in heaven and on this earth alike
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
The heaven full of towering constellations! (v. 1)
The Day Promised!
The one who witnesses and the evidence that is attested! (v2-3)
Let the makers of trenches be ruined
Fire fed with fuel
And they sat by it
To watch what they do to believers (v. 4-7)
Punishing believers for what?
That they believe in God, the Mighty, the Praised
To Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth!
God is a Witness to all things! (v. 8-9)
Those who persecute
Believing men and believing women
Showing no remorse or repentance
The chastisement of hell is for them
The blazing fire over them! (v. 10)
Those who believe and do good
Theirs is paradise (of peace and plenty)
Springs gushing forth
An achievement worthy of greatness! (v. 11)
Indeed, your Cherisher God’s grip is firm
God creates and then reproduces
God is most Forgiving, and most Loving!
Established on the throne of Power and Glory!
God does what He intends (v.12-15)
Have you not heard the story of the forces?
Of Pharaoh and Thamud
Yet the deniers continue to lie
While God surrounds them all! (v.16-20)
This indeed is the glorious Qur’an
On tablets, well preserved!1 (v. 20-21)
1See also (15:9) – “Indeed, We (God) have revealed this Reminder (the Qur’an) and We are its Guardian.”
