2.38. SILENCE AND REFLECTION (to be continued)

God says

Consider those [stars] that rise only to set,*
and move [in their orbits] with steady motions,**
and float [through space] with floating serene,
and yet overtake [one another] with swift overtaking:***
and thus they fulfill the [Creator’s] behest! -- Q.79:1-5

*The early commentators differ widely in their explanations of verses 1-5 of this surah. The clearest and simplest interpretation is that advanced by Qataadah (as quoted by Tabari and Baghawi) and AL-Hasan al-Basri (as quoted by Baghawi and Razi), who maintain that what is meant in this passage are the stars – including the sun and the moon – and their movement in space: and this interpretation is fully in tune with many other passages in the Qur’an in which the harmony of those celestial bodies in their multiform orbits and graded speeds is cited as evidence of God’s planning and creativeness.
** I.e., passing from constellation to constellation (Zamakhshari).
*** This is apparently an allusion to the different speeds of the orbiting stars (Al-Hasan and Abu ‘Ubaydah, as quoted by Razi), as well as to the extent of their orbits in relation to one another.



Prophet said

“The believer, by his (good) conduct, reaches the position of one who stands up (praying) at night and fasts during the day” – H: Abu Daod. N: Bibi Ayesha.

InshaAllah, from next Friday will start presenting verses 2 to 5 of the second surah, “Al Baqarah” These openning verses include the basis for receiving much needed guidance from the Quran, and hence, needed to be well understood.