النَّجمُ الثّاقِبُ

It is the brilliant star.

EXEGESIS

The Quran now explains what is meant by ṭāriq: a brilliant (thāqib) star. Thāqib literally means penetrating or elevated, and in Arabic a star that penetrates and soars up into the belly of the sky is called thāqib.^{‎[1]Zubaydi, 1/339.} The Arabs apparently would say that when a bird had soared high into the belly of the sky that it had penetrated it.^{‎[2]Tabari, 30/91.}

It is also considered to be penetrating since its brightness penetrates the darkness of the night and into man’s vision.^{‎[3]Nemuneh, 26/361.} This latter understanding would thematically link to the later reference to looking and vision (naẓar): So let man consider (yanẓur) from what he was created (verse 5).

EXPOSITION

At the time of the revelation of these verses, people were aware that stars were quite distant from the earth, albeit their understandings undoubtedly differed from ours today. Nevertheless, they had some appreciation, like we do now, of how immensely bright the stars must be to penetrate the immense distance of darkness to reach their vision. Thus, the especially bright star was one that pierced the veils of darkness in the night. This fits with the theme of journey, and the vast expanses that the light of the stars and planets travels to reach the eye of the observer.

Stars have also traditionally been linked to journeying, as wayfarers of old would use the stars to navigate when they were wandering the expanses of the seas or deserts: And the landmarks [as well], and by the stars they are guided (16:16). The brilliant star is the star which is not only beautiful but also beneficial, as it helps the wayfarer find their way to their destination.^{‎[4]Razi, 31/117.}

As to specifically which heavenly body the brilliant star is, the surah itself does not clarify, nor does its context. In narrations, different options have been mentioned and different exegetes have suggested different things. What is clear though – in addition to what has already been mentioned – is that this star is what draws the attention of the observer looking at the night sky to gaze at it in wonder. In a similar fashion, God wishes to draw the attention of the reader to the wonders of His creation and the benefits He has bestowed upon them.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is narrated from Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) in a lengthy hadith that the brilliant star is Saturn (zuḥal) and that it: ‘… rises in the seventh sky, and its brilliance penetrates until it lights up the worldly heaven (samāʾ al-dunyā). This is why God has named it the brilliant star.’^{‎[5]Khisal, p. 489; Nur, 5/550.}

Note: Exegetes have noted that Saturn is the furthest planet visible to the naked eye and is unique in our solar system due to its planetary rings, which also on occasion enhance its luminosity. In addition, the literal meaning of zaḥala is to be far. Saturn seems to also have been considered the ‘farthest and highest’ planet at the time.^{‎[6]Alusi, 15/306.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Various opinions have been given as to which heavenly body^{‎[7]It is important to note here that in classical Arabic the word najm referred to any heavenly body, be that a star, planet, or even the moon. Despite this being incorrect, for the sake of simplicity the word star is here used in the same fashion to refer to both stars and planets. Similarly, that which is colloquially referred to as a ‘shooting star’ is not in fact a star, but again may, for simplicity’s sake, be referred to as such.} this verse refers:

1. It is narrated from Ibn Abbas that it refers to any brightly shining star.^{‎[8]Tabari, 30/90-91.}
2. From Ibn Zayd: ‘The Arabs used to call Pleiades (thurayyā) a star.’^{‎[9]Tabari, 30/91.} This is in reference to some opinions that said the brilliant star was Pleiades.^{‎[10] Nemuneh, 26/360.}
3. From Khaṣīf ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān: ‘[It is] from those that pierce the one trying to eavesdrop.’^{‎[11] Suyuti, 6/336.} This is in reference to the verse that speaks of angels repelling the eavesdropping jinn with shooting stars: Except someone who may eavesdrop, whereat there pursues him a manifest flame (15:18).^{‎[12] See also 37:10.}
4. From al-Farrāʾ: ‘It is Saturn, since it pierces the thickness of the seven heavens with its light.’^{‎[13] Razi, 31/118.}

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. He who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the Lord is his name.^{‎[14] Amos 5:8.}

[1] Zubaydi, 1/339.
[2] Tabari, 30/91.
[3] Nemuneh, 26/361.
[4] Razi, 31/117.
[5] Khisal, p. 489; Nur, 5/550.
[6] Alusi, 15/306.
[7] It is important to note here that in classical Arabic the word najm referred to any heavenly body, be that a star, planet, or even the moon. Despite this being incorrect, for the sake of simplicity the word star is here used in the same fashion to refer to both stars and planets. Similarly, that which is colloquially referred to as a ‘shooting star’ is not in fact a star, but again may, for simplicity’s sake, be referred to as such.
[8] Tabari, 30/90-91.
[9] Tabari, 30/91.
[10] Nemuneh, 26/360.
[11] Suyuti, 6/336.
[12] See also 37:10.
[13] Razi, 31/118.
[14] Amos 5:8.