سُوْرَةُ الْحِجْرِ

Surah Al-Hijr (15) — Ayah 16

The Rock · Meccan · Juz 14 · Page 263

وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ ﴿16﴾
And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.
وَلَقَدْ walaqad And verily
جَعَلْنَا jaʿalnā We have placed
فِى in
ٱلسَّمَآءِ l-samāi the heavens
بُرُوجًۭا burūjan constellations
وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا wazayyannāhā and We have beautified it
لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ lilnnāẓirīna for the observers

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.

(Ayah16) ➊ {وَ لَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَآءِ بُرُوْجًا: ’’ بُرُوْجًا ‘‘ ’’ بُرْجٌ ‘‘} is the plural of {وَ لَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَآءِ بُرُوْجًا: ’’ بُرُوْجًا ‘‘ ’’ بُرْجٌ ‘‘}, which originally refers to a lofty, elevated, and adorned fortress or palace. Allah Almighty said: «{ اَيْنَ مَا تَكُوْنُوْا يُدْرِكْكُّمُ الْمَوْتُ وَ لَوْ كُنْتُمْ فِيْ بُرُوْجٍ مُّشَيَّدَةٍ [ النساء : ۷۸ ] "Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are in strong fortresses." Its original meaning is to be prominent and manifest, as Allah Almighty said to the pure wives, may Allah be pleased with them: «{ وَ لَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْاُوْلٰى [ الأحزاب : ۳۳ ] "And do not display yourselves with the display of the former times of ignorance." See also the first verse of Surah Al-Buruj. After the previous verses about messengership, now the discourse on monotheism begins. For the evidences of Allah Almighty's oneness, first the mention of the higher world is made, then the earth, then what is between them, and after that the mention of Adam and Iblis. Thus, it is said: We have made in the sky great and prominent towers, that is, the prominent clusters of stars, the stations of the sun and the moon, by which cool light is obtained at night and intense light and heat during the day, as well as the determination of time, days, months, and years. The growth of humans, animals, and plants, their survival, and the arrangement of countless needs are managed, the ebb and flow of the sea and countless benefits that you cannot even imagine are obtained from these. Who, other than Allah Almighty, is the creator and operator of all these? If anyone claims so, bring him forth. Some scholars have also identified {’’ بُرُوْجًا ‘‘} as those places where the guardian angels of the sky reside.

{ وَ زَيَّنّٰهَا لِلنّٰظِرِيْنَ:} Among the great evidences of Allah Almighty's power and oneness is also that He has adorned the sky with the moon, stars, and sun. The spectacle of the sky's adornment with stars and the moon at night is truly seen where there are no artificial lights. This is not limited to just one sky; the One with limitless power has created everything beautifully and has especially arranged for adornment in it. From the smallest insect to the largest creature, everything has been made perfectly beautiful. He said: «{ الَّذِيْۤ اَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهٗ وَ بَدَاَ خَلْقَ الْاِنْسَانِ مِنْ طِيْنٍ [ السجدۃ : ۷ ] "Who made good everything that He created, and He began the creation of man from clay." That is why the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, liked to remain clean and well-groomed. He said: [ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ جَمِيْلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ ] [ مسلم، الإیمان، باب تحریم الکبر و بیانہ : ۹۱ ] "Indeed, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty." He does not like to live dirty and unsightly like ascetics, yogis, monks, or foolish Sufis. The ten things which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, declared as part of the natural disposition, such as rinsing the mouth, using the miswak, cleaning below the navel, etc., all maintain this cleanliness and beauty perfectly.