Surah Yaseen (36) — Ayah 40
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
➋ { وَ لَا الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ:} Nor is it possible that while the day still remains, suddenly night should fall.
➌ { وَ كُلٌّ فِيْ فَلَكٍ يَّسْبَحُوْنَ : ’’سَبَحَ يَسْبَحُ‘‘} (F) means “to swim.” That is, whether it is the sun, the moon, or the stars (which includes the earth), each has its own orbit (path) in which it is swimming, and Allah Almighty has made the orbit of each of the billions of stars separate from the others, and has established such a system that no star comes into the orbit of another and collides with it, but rather, each revolves regularly in its own orbit, and this system will continue until the Day of Resurrection. Surely, this is a very great sign of Allah Almighty.
➍ The real purpose of these verses is not to state the facts of astronomy, but rather to make man understand that if he opens his eyes and uses his intellect, then from the earth to the sky, wherever he looks, countless proofs of the existence and oneness of Allah Almighty will come before him, and not a single proof will be found in support of atheism or polytheism. Our earth, which includes the solar system, is so great that its center, the sun, is three hundred thousand times larger than the earth, and the farthest planet, Neptune, is at least 2,793,000,000 miles away from the sun. In fact, if Pluto is considered the farthest planet, it reaches up to 4,600,000,000 miles from the sun. Despite this greatness, this solar system is only a tiny part of a very large galaxy. The galaxy in which our solar system is included contains about three thousand million (3 billion) suns, and its nearest sun is so far from our earth that its light takes four years to reach here. Then, even this galaxy is not the entire universe, but based on current observations, it is estimated to be one of about two million spiral nebulae, and the nearest of these nebulae is so far from us that its light takes one million years to reach our earth. As for the farthest celestial bodies that can be seen with our current instruments, their light takes one hundred million years to reach the earth. Even then, it cannot be said that man has seen the entire universe. (Tafheem-ul-Quran) The truth is that the dominion of Allah Almighty is far vaster than these estimates of astronomers or even the imagination of man. This is just a small glimpse that has been shown to them.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
40. 2. Rather, they are also bound in a system and come one after the other.
40. 3. By "all," the sun, moon, or along with them other celestial bodies are meant; all revolve in their own orbits, and there is no collision between them.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
[38] This sentence has two meanings: one is that the sun is a larger celestial body compared to the moon. Its gravitational pull is also much greater than that of the moon; however, it is not possible for the sun to pull the moon towards itself, nor is it possible for it (the sun) to enter its (the moon's) orbit. The second meaning is that it is also not possible for the moon to be shining at night and, at the same time, for the sun to rise. Similarly, it is not possible for the night to arrive before the appointed duration of the day ends, nor for the night, with all its darkness, to suddenly appear during the time allotted for daylight.
[39]
The Movement of the Sun and Moon and the Meaning of "Falak":
The meaning of ﴿سَبَّحَ﴾ is to pass or swim very swiftly in water or air. And the meaning of "falak" is the orbits or pathways of the celestial bodies. In this verse, first only the sun and the moon are mentioned, then the word "kul" (all) is used, which is for plurality. From this, it is understood that besides the sun and the moon, all other planets are also swiftly moving in space. And since our earth is also a planet, it too is in motion. However, due to certain specific reasons, an exception regarding the earth’s movement is possible, and up to now, four theories about the earth’s movement have changed. [For details, see my work 'Ash-Shams wal-Qamar bi-Husban']
