An-Najm

The Star

Verses

Revelation Period

Makkan

Reason for the Name

Named after the opening verse , "By the star when it descends," which is a divine oath highlighting the subject matter's seriousness.

Summary

Surah An-Najm begins with a powerful divine oath swearing by the setting star, immediately establishing the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the divine origin of the Quran. It strongly asserts that the Prophet does not speak from his own desires but conveys revelation taught to him by a mighty angel (Jibril/Gabriel) . The Surah describes aspects of the Prophet's profound spiritual experiences, including his encounter with Angel Jibril in his true form and his witnessing of great signs from Allah during the Mi'raj (Ascension) near the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary .

The Surah then transitions to directly confront and condemn the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in Makkah. It questions the baseless claims about the idols Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat, mocking the illogical notion that the pagans would assign daughters to Allah while preferring sons for themselves . It emphasizes that these are merely names invented without any divine authority, based on conjecture and whims rather than knowledge.

Finally, the Surah underscores fundamental principles of faith: Allah's absolute ownership of the heavens and the earth, the futility of intercession without His permission , the principle of individual responsibility where no soul bears another's burden , and that all efforts will be shown and fully recompensed. It highlights Allah's ultimate power as the Lord of creation, life, death, sustenance, and the One who destroyed past rebellious nations like 'Ad, Thamud, and the people of Nuh (Noah) . The Surah concludes with a reminder of the approaching Day of Judgment, urging humanity to reflect, turn away from distractions, and instead weep, fear, and prostrate in worship to Allah alone .

Core Message

To affirm the absolute truth and divine source of the revelation (Wahy) received by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), refuting the polytheistic beliefs of the Quraish, particularly regarding intermediaries and Allah having daughters, and emphasizing individual accountability before Allah.

Themes

Divine Revelation (Wahy): Its truthfulness, source, and transmission via Angel Jibril.
Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Sincerity & Status: Defending his role as a messenger.
The Angel Jibril (AS): His role as the intermediary of revelation.
The Prophet's Ascension (Mi'raj): Witnessing divine signs.
Refutation of Polytheism & Idolatry: Specifically challenging the worship of Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat and the concept of Allah having daughters.
Allah's Absolute Power & Sovereignty: Over creation, life, death, destiny.
Individual Accountability: Emphasis on personal responsibility for actions.
Divine Justice & Past Nations: Warnings drawn from the fate of 'Ad, Thamud, and others.
The Hereafter & Judgment: Reminder of the final return and reckoning.
Worship of Allah Alone (Tawhid): The concluding call to prostration and worship.

Key Verses

: "By the star when it descends, Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed." (Significance: A powerful divine testimony to the Prophet's truthfulness and the divine source of the Quran).
: Describes the Prophet's vision during the Mi'raj: "The heart did not lie [about] what it saw... He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord." (Significance: Affirms the reality of the Prophet's extraordinary spiritual journey and witnessing of divine realities).
: "That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another, And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives, And that his effort is going to be seen - Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense." (Significance: Establishes the fundamental principle of individual accountability and reward based on effort).
: "And that to your Lord is the final return." (Significance: A concise and profound reminder of the ultimate destination and accountability to Allah).
: "So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him]." (Significance: The concluding command and the verse requiring prostration (Sajdah) when recited or heard).

Stories

The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) initial revelations and encounter with Angel Jibril (AS) (context of .
The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) visionary experience during the Mi'raj (Ascension) .
Brief allusions to the destruction of past peoples: 'Ad, Thamud, the people of Prophet Nuh (AS), and the "overthrown cities" (likely Sodom and Gomorrah associated with Prophet Lut AS) .

Personalities

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Referred to as "Your companion" , the recipient of the revelation whose truthfulness is defended.
Angel Jibril (AS): Referred to indirectly as the "one intense in strength" who taught the Prophet.
(Implicitly through reference to past nations): Nuh (AS), Hud (AS) (associated with 'Ad), Salih (AS) (associated with Thamud), Lut (AS) (associated with the 'overthrown cities').

Practical Guidance

Certainty in Revelation: Strengthens faith in the Quran and the Prophet's (PBUH) message as divine truth, not human invention.
Avoiding Conjecture: Teaches the importance of seeking knowledge and basing beliefs on evidence rather than assumptions, whims, or cultural traditions (especially in matters of faith).
Personal Responsibility: Motivates individuals to take ownership of their actions, knowing they alone are responsible and will be judged accordingly.
Focus on Allah: Reminds believers that ultimate power, control, and judgment belong solely to Allah, guiding focus away from worldly distractions.
Learning from History: Encourages reflection on the consequences faced by past nations who rejected divine guidance.
Importance of Worship: Culminates in the direct command to prostrate and worship Allah, highlighting the practical response to acknowledging His greatness.
Understanding the Hereafter: Reinforces the reality of the final return to Allah and the Day of Judgment.

Points of Reflection

How does the Surah's powerful opening defending the Prophet (PBUH) impact my understanding of his mission and the Quran's authenticity?
In what areas of my life might I be following conjecture or assumptions instead of seeking true knowledge based on revelation , ?
How does meditating on the principle "that no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another" influence my sense of personal accountability and my interactions with others?

Unique Features

Begins with a unique oath ("By the star").
One of the most direct Surahs defending the nature and process of Wahy (revelation).
Contains a significant passage describing the Prophet's (PBUH) Mi'raj vision .
Directly names and refutes specific idols worshipped by the Quraish (Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, Manat).
Contains a verse of obligatory prostration (Sajdah at-Tilawah) , considered by many scholars to be the first Surah revealed containing such a verse.

Connection to Chapters

Connection to Previous Chapter (Surah At-Tur, 52): Surah At-Tur also opens with oaths, discusses revelation, challenges the disbelievers, and describes Paradise and Hell. Surah An-Najm continues the theme of affirming revelation but focuses more specifically on the Prophet's personal experience and the refutation of specific Makkan idolatry.
Connection to Next Chapter (Surah Al-Qamar, 54): Surah Al-Qamar ("The Moon") immediately follows with the theme of the Hour approaching ("The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has split"). It elaborates significantly on the stories of past nations destroyed for their disbelief (Nuh, 'Ad, Thamud, Lut, Pharaoh), reinforcing the warnings briefly mentioned in Surah An-Najm .