Surah Al-Burooj (85) — Ayah 1
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.
(Ayah 1) {وَ السَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوْجِ:’’ الْبُرُوْجِ ‘‘ ’’بُرْجٌ ‘‘} is the plural of {’’ تَبَرَّجَ ‘‘}, its original meaning is "something prominent and apparent." {’’ تَبَرَّجَ ‘‘} means to be uncovered, to be apparent. That is why a high palace is called a "burj," the high parts of a city's wall are also called "burj," and the shapes seen in the sky formed by the gathering of stars are called "burooj." Those heavenly stations in which angels guard the sky from devils are also called "burooj." The stations of the sun and the moon are also called "burooj."
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.
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.
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The Sky and Its Constellations:
According to the Ptolemaic theory of astronomy, the eighth sphere of the heavens is divided into twelve constellations, which are actually clusters of stars or constellations. By looking at them, a specific image or shape comes to mind. The names of these constellations themselves give some idea of their shapes. Their names are composed in the following verse: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Regarding these very constellations, Allah Almighty has said in Surah Al-Hijr, verse 10: "And We have made constellations in the sky and adorned this sky for those who look." Now, if an ordinary reader takes the word "buruj" in this verse to mean those same twelve constellations that the astronomers have established in the eighth sphere, that is up to him; otherwise, the context of the verse does not support this, because most of the shapes of these constellations have nothing to do with adornment. After all, how can Cancer, Scorpio, Libra, and Aquarius create beauty? This is why most scholars have taken "buruj" here to mean stars and planets, which adorn the sky at night. Linguistically, we can call anything that appears prominently a "burj."
