سُوْرَةُ الطَّارِقِ

Surah At-Taariq (86) — Ayah 3

The Morning Star · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 591

ٱلنَّجْمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ ﴿3﴾
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
ٱلنَّجْمُ al-najmu (It is) the star
ٱلثَّاقِبُ l-thāqibu the piercing

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.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

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.

3. 1. What is meant by Tariq? The Quran itself has clarified. Tariq is the bright star, whose literal meaning is "the one who knocks," but Tariq is used for someone who comes at night. Stars are also called Tariq for this reason, that they hide during the day and appear at night.

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.

3. It is the shining star [2].

[2]
The Reality of the Shooting Star:

At this place, the word ﴿النجم الثاقب﴾ has been used. In another place, ﴿شهاب ثاقب﴾ and in a third, ﴿شهاب مبين﴾, and the meaning in all is the same. "Shihab" refers to such a burning ember in which both brightness and flame are present, whether it is a coal of fire or found in the sky or atmosphere, and in "thaqib" there is the concept of swiftly piercing through and a red light like fire. Whereas the light of ordinary stars is white like the light of the moon. Thus, in ﴿النجم الثاقب﴾, three things are combined: first, it is swiftly traveling through the atmosphere; second, it possesses brightness; and third, that brightness has a reddish hue like fire. In our language, we call it a "shooting star." Furthermore, here the singular form is used, but the meaning is generic. Hundreds of such stars break in the atmosphere and then disappear from our sight. They neither collide with other stars to disrupt the system of the universe, nor do they fall to the earth to cause chaos on earth. However, after a long time, if such a star falls to the earth, it can create deep craters in the ground, but this too is a form of divine punishment and an extraordinary event. Regarding such shooting stars, the Islamic legal perspective is that when a jinn or devil goes up to listen to the conversations of the higher assembly, such a flaming star is thrown at him to drive him away from there.