سُوْرَةُ النَّحْلِ
Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 16
وَعَلَـٰمَـٰتٍ ۚ وَبِٱلنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ ﴿16﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And landmarks (signposts during the day) and by the stars (during the night), they (mankind) guide themselves.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَعَلَـٰمَـٰتٍۢ ۚ
waʿalāmātin
And landmarks
وَبِٱلنَّجْمِ
wabil-najmi
And by the stars
هُمْ
hum
they
يَهْتَدُونَ
yahtadūna
guide themselves
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.
16. And He has set up landmarks [16], and by the stars some people find their way. [17]
[16]
The Importance of Landmarks:
For instance, there might be a mound somewhere, a flowing stream, or a pass. Such signs and some other temporary markers like a tall tree, a town, or a tall building, etc. Along with other benefits of such things, one benefit is that a traveler can determine through these signs whether he is on the right path. The true value of these signs is realized when a person has to travel in a vast, desolate desert where there is no landmark or sign. In such a place, there is a severe risk of losing the way and getting lost in a maze. And if someone loses the way once, it becomes very difficult to find the path again.
[17]
Guidance from the Stars:
At night, a person can determine the time from the movement of the stars—how much of the night has passed and how much remains—as well as direction. During nighttime travel, stars provide complete guidance, whether the journey is by sea or by land. Nowadays, travelers generally use a compass for assistance, but in reality, this too is indirect guidance from the stars. Wherever you are in the world, the needle of the compass always points exactly north or towards the Pole Star, from which the other directions are marked on the compass.
[16]
The Importance of Landmarks:
For instance, there might be a mound somewhere, a flowing stream, or a pass. Such signs and some other temporary markers like a tall tree, a town, or a tall building, etc. Along with other benefits of such things, one benefit is that a traveler can determine through these signs whether he is on the right path. The true value of these signs is realized when a person has to travel in a vast, desolate desert where there is no landmark or sign. In such a place, there is a severe risk of losing the way and getting lost in a maze. And if someone loses the way once, it becomes very difficult to find the path again.
[17]
Guidance from the Stars:
At night, a person can determine the time from the movement of the stars—how much of the night has passed and how much remains—as well as direction. During nighttime travel, stars provide complete guidance, whether the journey is by sea or by land. Nowadays, travelers generally use a compass for assistance, but in reality, this too is indirect guidance from the stars. Wherever you are in the world, the needle of the compass always points exactly north or towards the Pole Star, from which the other directions are marked on the compass.
