سُوْرَةُ يٰسٓ
Surah Yaseen (36) — Ayah 40
لَا ٱلشَّمْسُ يَنۢبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تُدْرِكَ ٱلْقَمَرَ وَلَا ٱلَّيْلُ سَابِقُ ٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ ﴿40﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَا
lā
Not
ٱلشَّمْسُ
l-shamsu
the sun
يَنۢبَغِى
yanbaghī
is permitted
لَهَآ
lahā
for it
أَن
an
that
تُدْرِكَ
tud'rika
it overtakes
ٱلْقَمَرَ
l-qamara
the moon
وَلَا
walā
and not
ٱلَّيْلُ
al-laylu
the night
سَابِقُ
sābiqu
(can) outstrip
ٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ
l-nahāri
the day
وَكُلٌّۭ
wakullun
but all
فِى
fī
in
فَلَكٍۢ
falakin
an orbit
يَسْبَحُونَ
yasbaḥūna
they are floating
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.
40. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each is floating swiftly in its own orbit [39].
[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']
[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']
