TAG: An-Najm
Understanding Surah No 53: An-Najm
Surah No 53: An-Najm
Number of Ayats: Sixty two
Meaning of the name: It takes its name from ayat no 1 where the word “Najam” occurs which means “star”.
Summary: This is a Makki surah. It begins with the defense of the Holy Prophet who was accused by the Quraish chiefs of 1) going astray, 2) being misled by forces of evil, 3) trying to make an impression by imposing upon people his own beliefs. However, it is stated that none of this is true and that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was guided directly by Allah. Then reference to the event of Miraj is given where the Holy Prophet saw such things that would leave us awestruck. One of these was the “Al Bait Al Ma’mur” (Allah’s House) where 70,000 Angels offer prayers daily, and every day new batches of Angels come. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said, “If anyone of you says Amin (during prayer at the end of Surah Al-Fathiha), and the angels in heaven say the same, and the two sayings coincide, all his past sins will be forgiven”. He also saw “Sidrat-ul-Muntaha” which is a tree whose boundary is so vast that it extends over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass, and near this lies (Jannat al-Mawa).
The three major goddesses: Lat, Uzza, and Manat have been mentioned, to point out that it was the height of degradation that females who were lowly in the eyes of Arabs, were chosen by them to be their God. To worship anything other than Allah be it idols or Angels is futile. This is simply something men have done themselves. This can lead to nothing but destruction, so we should simply follow the path shown to us by Allah. For if we repent or mend our ways, Allah’s forgiveness comes into action, and we are rewarded more than we deserve. He asks us to strive against evil.
Then the eleven sayings of Hazrat Ibrahim are given: 1) Man himself bears the burden of his sins, 2) & 3) Man must make every effort in trying to attain his goal 4), 5) & 6) Allah gives us everything, therefore our hopes should be with Him and none other, 7) He has made pairs, 8 ) He will raise the dead and grant a new life in the Hereafter, 9) All material and spiritual gains are awarded to man according to Allah’s plan, 10) Allah is the creator of the magnificent star ‘Sirius’, which the Pagan Arabs worshipped, 11) Allah wiped out the most powerful and capable nations because of their sins.