❀ Reality of the Piercing Flame and Its Qur’anic Explanation ❀
Shahāb-e-Thāqib refers to those space rocks found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in our solar system. These are known as asteroids. When they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, the friction with air produces intense heat, causing them to ignite and emit light, commonly referred to as a “shooting star.”
① Shahāb (Flame):
When these rocks strike the Earth's atmosphere, they ignite and appear as glowing embers.
② Thāqib (Piercing):
As they shine in the dark sky, it feels as though someone has pierced through the darkness with light.
The Qur’an refers to Shahāb-e-Thāqib as a means of protecting the heavens.
Surah Al-Jinn:
“And that we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.”
(Al-Jinn, Verse 9)
It is narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbās (RA) (in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) that when Allah issues a command in the heavens, the angels hear and obey it. The devils used to secretly attempt to overhear this command and convey it to the soothsayers.
However, after the advent of the Prophet ﷺ, this act was prohibited for the devils to ensure the protection of divine news. Now, if a devil tries to listen, a piercing flame (shahāb-e-thāqib) drives him away.
According to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, when the devils were denied access to the heavens, the jinn became worried. Groups of jinn spread across the earth to discover what new event had occurred.
One such group passed through Wādī Nakhlah, where they heard the Prophet ﷺ reciting the Qur’an during the Fajr prayer. Upon hearing it, they exclaimed:
"إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَنْ نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا"
(Al-Jinn: 1–2)
“Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur’an. It guides to what is right, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.”
These jinn returned to their people and informed them about the Qur’an. This incident is later referenced in Surah Al-Jinn.
[Bukhārī: Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb al-Jahr bi-Qirā’at Ṣalāt al-Ṣubḥ: 773;
Muslim: Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb al-Jahr bi-al-Qirā’ah fī al-Ṣubḥ wa-al-Qirā’ah ʿalā al-Jinn: 449]
The Arabs used to observe these flaming streaks in the sky with amazement and believed they signified the birth or death of an important person.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ corrected this belief, saying:
“These flaming meteors do not appear due to someone’s death or birth, rather, they are to repel the devils.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 1322]
✔ Scientific Explanation:
Shahāb-e-Thāqib are heavy space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn due to friction. Sometimes, they even reach the Earth's surface.
✔ Sharʿī (Islamic) Explanation:
The Qur’an does not describe their scientific composition. Instead, it emphasizes their divine function: to repel devils and protect the heavens from unauthorized access.
The Qur’anic explanation does not conflict with scientific findings. It is entirely possible that these meteors naturally occur and simultaneously serve a divine purpose in the unseen realm by repelling devils.
The Arabs believed soothsayers received news of the unseen through devils, who would eavesdrop on heavenly conversations.
The Qur’an clarified that such access is now impossible for devils, as the skies are guarded by Shahāb-e-Thāqib, thereby invalidating the credibility of soothsayers.
[Tafhīm al-Qurʾān: Vol. 2, Sūrah al-Ḥijr, Footnotes 9–12;
Vol. 4, Sūrah al-Ṣāffāt, Footnotes 6–7]
❖ Literal Meaning of Shahāb-e-Thāqib
- Shahāb (شہاب): A blazing flame or ember
- Thāqib (ثاقب): That which pierces
Shahāb-e-Thāqib refers to those space rocks found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in our solar system. These are known as asteroids. When they enter the Earth’s atmosphere, the friction with air produces intense heat, causing them to ignite and emit light, commonly referred to as a “shooting star.”
❖ Why Is It Called Shahāb-e-Thāqib?
① Shahāb (Flame):
When these rocks strike the Earth's atmosphere, they ignite and appear as glowing embers.
② Thāqib (Piercing):
As they shine in the dark sky, it feels as though someone has pierced through the darkness with light.
❖ Mention of Shahāb-e-Thāqib in the Qur’an
The Qur’an refers to Shahāb-e-Thāqib as a means of protecting the heavens.
Surah Al-Jinn:
“And that we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.”
(Al-Jinn, Verse 9)
❖ Mention in Hadith: Protection of Heavenly Revelations
It is narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbās (RA) (in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) that when Allah issues a command in the heavens, the angels hear and obey it. The devils used to secretly attempt to overhear this command and convey it to the soothsayers.
However, after the advent of the Prophet ﷺ, this act was prohibited for the devils to ensure the protection of divine news. Now, if a devil tries to listen, a piercing flame (shahāb-e-thāqib) drives him away.
❖ Incident Involving the Jinn
According to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, when the devils were denied access to the heavens, the jinn became worried. Groups of jinn spread across the earth to discover what new event had occurred.
One such group passed through Wādī Nakhlah, where they heard the Prophet ﷺ reciting the Qur’an during the Fajr prayer. Upon hearing it, they exclaimed:
"إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَنْ نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا"
(Al-Jinn: 1–2)
“Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur’an. It guides to what is right, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.”
These jinn returned to their people and informed them about the Qur’an. This incident is later referenced in Surah Al-Jinn.
[Bukhārī: Kitāb al-Adhān, Bāb al-Jahr bi-Qirā’at Ṣalāt al-Ṣubḥ: 773;
Muslim: Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Bāb al-Jahr bi-al-Qirā’ah fī al-Ṣubḥ wa-al-Qirā’ah ʿalā al-Jinn: 449]
❖ Arab Beliefs about the Piercing Flame
The Arabs used to observe these flaming streaks in the sky with amazement and believed they signified the birth or death of an important person.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ corrected this belief, saying:
“These flaming meteors do not appear due to someone’s death or birth, rather, they are to repel the devils.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Ḥadīth 1322]
❖ Scientific and Sharʿī Perspectives on Shahāb-e-Thāqib
✔ Scientific Explanation:
Shahāb-e-Thāqib are heavy space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn due to friction. Sometimes, they even reach the Earth's surface.
✔ Sharʿī (Islamic) Explanation:
The Qur’an does not describe their scientific composition. Instead, it emphasizes their divine function: to repel devils and protect the heavens from unauthorized access.
❖ No Contradiction Between Qur’an and Science
The Qur’anic explanation does not conflict with scientific findings. It is entirely possible that these meteors naturally occur and simultaneously serve a divine purpose in the unseen realm by repelling devils.
❖ Arab Culture and Qur’anic Reform
The Arabs believed soothsayers received news of the unseen through devils, who would eavesdrop on heavenly conversations.
The Qur’an clarified that such access is now impossible for devils, as the skies are guarded by Shahāb-e-Thāqib, thereby invalidating the credibility of soothsayers.
[Tafhīm al-Qurʾān: Vol. 2, Sūrah al-Ḥijr, Footnotes 9–12;
Vol. 4, Sūrah al-Ṣāffāt, Footnotes 6–7]
