Guarding the Sky

[Al-Quran, Chapter 37, Verses 4-12]

 إِنَّ إِلَـٰهَكُمْ لَوَاحِدٌ  رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ الْمَشَارِقِ   إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ الْكَوَاكِبِ   وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَّارِدٍ  لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى الْمَلَإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍ دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ    إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ الْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ

فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَا ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍ    بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ

Translation: Indeed your Deity is One. The Lord of the Heavens and Earth and all that is between them, and Lord of All Mashaariq; We have adorned the Heaven of the world with adornment of the Al-Kawakib; and guard against every rebellious shaitaan; they cannot listen to the Exalted Assembly for they are pelted from every side; outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; except such as who snatches by stealth, is pursued by a piercing flame; Then ask them: are they stronger in creation or whom we have created? We created them of ‘teenin lazibin’. But, you wonder and they make fun. 

Multiple standard translations: http://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=37 

Lord of All Mashaariq: 

رَبُّ الْمَشَارِقِ 

The root of the word ‘mashaariq’ is sh-r-q, which is generally understood to refer to the East or place where the Sun rises from. However, studying the usage of the words sh-r-q and g-r-b in the various verses,I wonder if they might mean origins and endings…   

Looking up ‘sh-r-q’ in Lane’s Lexicon, page 1541, ‘mashriq’ implies ‘place, quarter or direction of sunrise’, ‘east’, ‘orient’. 

The dual ‘mashriqain’ is understood to mean: 

the two extreme points of the eastern horizon, that is the point from where the sun rises in summer and the point where the sun rises in winter 

رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ وَرَبُّ الْمَغْرِبَيْنِ

[Al-Qur’an 43:38, translator: Pickthall] Lord of the two Easts, and Lord of the two Wests! 

[Al-Qur’an 43:38, translator: Shakir] Lord of the East and Lord of the West 

the distance between the east and west, or between the place of sunrise and the place of sunset    

… يَا لَيْتَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ …

[Al-Qur’an 43:38, translator: Pickthall] Ah, would that between me and thee there were the distance of the two horizons 

[Al-Qur’an 43:38, translator: Shakir] O would that between me and you there were the distance of the East and the West 

The plural form used in 37:5, has also been used in 70:40, has been translated follows: 

فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ الْمَشَارِقِ وَالْمَغَارِبِ إِنَّا لَقَادِرُونَ

[Al-Qur’an 70:40, translator: Pickthall] But nay! I swear by the Lord of the rising-places and the setting-places of the planets that We verily are Able  

[Al-Qur’an 70:40, translator: Shakir] But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests that We are certainly able  

Consider the usage of sh-r-q and g-r-b in the following verse: 

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

[Al-Qur’an 24:35, translator: Sahih International] Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. 

Describing the Day of Resurrection [Qiyamah], consider the usage of root sh-r-q in the Quran,[39:69] 

…وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا  

[Al-Qur’an 39:69, translator: Pickthall] And the earth shineth with the light of her Lord, 

Also, consider the usage of East in Ancient Hebrew: ‘The ancient Hebrew words that are used to describe distance and direction are also used to describe time. The Hebrew word for east is qedem and literally means "the direction of the rising sun.” The implications of this statement are astounding. This is because time, as defined as the distance between two physical events, is not a physical measurement in and of itself. Yet in ancient Hebrew, time and distance refer to the same thing and literally to “the direction of the rising sun,” (which we as human beings call the east direction). One implication of this association would be that the origin of all things could have come, does come, and will come from the east.’ [http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/docs/39_brown-time.pdf ] 

Could the dual forms (i) refer to the two deaths and two lives mentioned in Quran 2:28?  and (ii) could imply the distance of a lifetime, the distance between the first life and the resurrection? and the plural of 70:40 also refer to all origins and endings? Consider the following: in Quran 24:35, the example is that of a glass is being illuminated by a blessed olive tree that is ‘neither of the east nor of the west’. Could east and west here imply ‘without origin and without end’?  And perhaps the word ‘ashraqto’ in verse 39:69 means ‘re-originates’ or will be created anew, after its destruction?  

Al-Kawakib (singular Kawkab): 

  إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ

الْكَوَاكِبِ   وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَّارِدٍ 

Looking up the meaning of ‘kawkab’ in Lane’s Lexicon [page 2623 under k-k-b], the following meanings are of interest in this study: 

it (iron) glistened; was lustrous, or bright 

al-kawkab or al-kawkaba for Venus, while kawkub for rest of the stars [*] 

the source, or spring, of a well

water 

the lustre, or brightness, or glistening, of iron 

vehemence of heat 

of difficulties, distresses or calamities, when used as an adjective for a day 

a place of confinement 

[*] Venus is a planet, and since it is the brightest object in the night sky, it is easy to understand why most people would assume it to be a star. Ancient Arabic and Hebrew have many commonalities, and according to some, may have been different dialects of the same language. As per an author, ‘The Hebrew word for star is  (kokhav), while planet is referred to as a ‘walking star’ –  Curiously, Arabic uses the same root to refer to planet –  (kawkab), while the word for star is  (najm) or  (najma). The common root for the Hebrew star and the Arab planet probably originates from the Akkadian word ‘kakkabu’ for star.’ [4.1. Star, Planet  ] 

Translators of the Quran generally tend to translate ‘kawkab’ as star, as found in the lexicon and various translations, as also in the examples of 24:35 below. However, Quran uses the word ‘najm’ for stars. Where the Quran employs the word ‘kawkab’, it appears that a more scientifically understandable translation would be a body illuminated by light from another source. In Quran 24:35, the word ‘kawkab’, as explained in the verse itself, is something that is illuminated and shining due to another light source.   

[Al-Qur’an 24:35, translator: Sahih International] Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. 

[Al-Qur’an 24:35, translator: Pickthall] Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things. 

As per the explanation of ‘kawkab’ in the verse itself of the glass shining due to the light of the lamp, considering the above-listed Lexicon’ meanings: [ i) it (iron) glistened; was lustrous, or bright, and v) the lustre, or brightness, or glistening, of iron] from the list above, it appears that the term ‘kawkab’ is employed for celestial objects which have metallic content and reflect light, which could include planets, moon, asteroids, meteors and meteorites. Recent exploration and analysis of samples returned by NASA’s mission Stardust have revealed that ‘like in meteorites most of the components from the comet have isotopic compositions similar to Earth and are of solar system origin.’.  

Interestingly, comets are also assumed to have massive amounts of water/ice, and it is theorised that they are the source of water on planet Earth. Considering the meanings [ iii) the source, or spring, of a well, and v) water ], comets fit in well with the shades of meaning of ‘kawkab’. However, according to the Quran, water did come from the sky, but the word 'burooj' is not associated with the arrival of water on Earth.  

In chapter 15 in the Quran, it mentions that ‘buroojan’ have been made in the sky, which are guarded from the devils.

وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّاهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

[Al-Qur’an 15:16, translator: Shakir] And certainly We have made strongholds in the heaven and We have made it fair seeming to the beholders.

Though a number of translators take it to mean constellations or mansions of stars, according to Lane’s Lexicon, ‘buroojan’ means strongholds. Shakir has also translated it as strongholds. It is interesting that this verse is mentioned in Surah Al-Hijr [The Rocky Tract / The Valley of Stone], which agrees with the shades of meaning of ‘kawkab’ discussed above. Furthermore, the fact that they are beautiful to behold is also mentioned here, as in 37:6 [We have adorned the Heaven of the world with adornment of the Kawkab].  

Pelted from every side, pursued by a piercing flame: 

وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَّارِدٍ 

لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى الْمَلَإِ الْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍ 

دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ

إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ الْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ

[Al-Quran 37:7-10] and guard against every rebellious shaitaan; they cannot listen to the Exalted Assembly for they are pelted from every side; outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; except such as who snatches by stealth, is pursued by a piercing flame; 

And consider the following verses from chapters 15 and 66: 

 وَحَفِظْنَاهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ رَّجِيمٍ  

إِلَّا مَنِ اسْتَرَقَ السَّمْعَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ مُّبِينٌ 

[Al-Quran 15:17-19, translator:Shakir] And We guard it against every accursed Shaitan, But he who steals a hearing, so there follows him a visible flame. 

وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ

[Al-Quran 67:5, translator:Shakir] And certainly We have adorned this lower heaven with lamps and We have made these missiles for the Shaitans, and We have prepared for them the chastisement of burning. 

[Al-Quran 67:5, translator:Yusuf Ali] And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing Fire. 

Could these verses be referring to meteor showers which fall on Earth throughout the year? They are visible to the naked eye, and the origins of many are associated with comets which are beautiful to behold, as mentioned in 15:16, and 37:6. 

What are comets made of? 

فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَا ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍ

Then ask them: are they stronger in creation or whom we have created? We created them of ‘teenin lazibin’

Verse 37:11 goes on to question who is more difficult to create, and unequivocally states that We created them from ‘teenin lazibin’. According to Lane’s Lexicon, ’teenin’ is clay or mud, while ‘lazibin’ means fixed, settled, firm or constant, and severe. Could the above verse be describing what comets are made of? 

The findings from the Stardust mission to collect comet samples indicates: ‘Scientists found a wide variety in particle composition and size in the Wild 2 samples. Most of the Wild 2 samples appear to be weakly constructed mixtures of very small grains with a few larger grains. Also, a wide range of high- and low-temperature minerals, from olivine to low- and high-calcium pyroxene compositions, is present in the Wild 2 samples. Such a diversity of high- and low-temperature minerals requires a wide range of formation conditions, probably reflecting different formation locations. Many particles did not form in the cold environment and locations where cometary ices condensed. Instead, they needed high temperatures to form, as well as complex and as yet little understood dynamical processes to end up where comets actually formed. Also, particles from different environments must have undergone some process of accretion to end up as aggregates composed of different minerals.’ [http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news110.html ] 

A new picture of Comets is emerging: The Electric Comet 

My interpretation of the verse: Indeed your Deity is One. The Lord of the Heavens and Earth and all that is between them, and Lord of all origins; We have adorned the Heaven of the world with adornment of the hard glistening rocky celestial bodies; and guarding against every rebellious devil; they cannot listen to the Exalted Assembly for they are pelted from every side; outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; except such as who snatches by stealth, is pursued by a piercing flame; Then ask them: are they stronger in creation or whom we have created? We created them of ‘teenin lazibin’. But, you wonder and they make fun. 

May Allah guide us to a better and clearer understanding of His Message. Amen. 

Last updated on: September 4, 2014