Surah An-Najm is the 53rd chapter or surah of the blessed Quran. Also translated as the star or the unfolding, the surah has a total of 62 verses. It is positioned in Juz 27 and has 3 rukus. It is a Makki/Meccan surah. An-Najm was revealed upon the Prophet as during the first five years of his appointment as a Prophet, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) was inviting people to the message of Islam in private settings, mostly in restricted meetings due to the strong resistance and opposition from the disbelievers.
In spite of the threat of the non-believers who strongly opposed Islam, one day, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) decided to make a speech in the holy confines of the Kabah, where many of the Quraish were present. When the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) started reciting the Quran in front of the disbelievers, they were so captivated and overwhelmed they could not fathom to react harshly, and when the Prophet (ﷺ) did the sajdah and fell in prostration, they followed him. Later, however, they felt remorse as they thought they had shown "weakness."
The theme of Surah An-Najm relates to this historical event and warns the Quraish and disbelievers regarding the harsh attitude that they displayed towards the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Quran. The name of the surah is taken from the first word of the first ayah of the surah.
٥٣ - ٱلنَّجْم
53 - An-Najm
English
Ahmed Ali
2
English
Ahmed Ali
3
English
Ahmed Ali
4
English
Ahmed Ali
5
English
Ahmed Ali
6
English
Ahmed Ali
7
English
Ahmed Ali
8
English
Ahmed Ali
9
It is almost a consensus among historians and scholars that Surah An-Najm was revealed in Mecca in the 5th year of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It is also believed that this was the first Surah of the Quran that contained a verse of prostration (62nd verse of Surah). A historical event is also associated with this Surah, in the context of this verse of prostration.
By that time, Quraysh used to prohibit the Prophet from reciting the Quranic revelations publicly, as they were afraid that people might be attracted to the Message of Islam if the Prophet was able to recite the Quran in the presence of disbelievers. So, the Prophet used to recite the Quran privately. Surah An-Najm was the first Surah that the Prophet recited publicly in the Ka’aba, in the presence of a large gathering of believers and disbelievers.
When the Prophet recited the last verse of this Surah (the verse of prostration), he bowed down in prostration. All the listeners, present at that time, also bowed down with the Prophet. The impact of the verses of this Surah was so powerful that even the disbelievers of Quraysh, present in the gathering at that time, also bowed down.
The historical context of the revelation of Surah An-Najm is almost similar to the revelation of other Surahs, revealed during this crucial phase of the Prophethood. It was the time when the opposition by the Quraysh was touching its peak. They not only rejected the Prophethood but also accused that the Quranic verses were not revealed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ but are the words of the Prophet himself. The ever-increasing opposition by the Quraysh had already compelled some of the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia, historically remembered as the "first migration to Habshah”.
The main purpose of the revelation of this Surah was to emphasize the basic concept of Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ (Tawheed), and to assert the reality and truth of the revelations. At the same time, the concept of accountability on the Day of Judgement is also emphasized in this Surah. The Surah starts with an oath on the natural phenomenon of the fading away of stars (An-Najm). Then the Surah categorically rejects the Idols, such as Lat, Manat, and Uzza, which were being worshiped by the Quraysh. Going further, the reality of the Angels is also described. It is specifically mentioned that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ reveals the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ through the Angel Jibril. In this context, it is also described in this Surah that the Prophet has physically seen the Angel Jibril twice. It refers to two different incidents when the Prophet saw the Angel Jibril in his actual form.
The first incident was sometimes after the first revelation, when the further revelations were put on hold for quite some time. The Angel Jibril was then sent down, who physically appeared before the Prophet and revealed Surah Al-Mudassir. The second time was the event of the Ascension of the Prophet to heaven (sidratul Muntaha), historically remembered as “Miraj an-Nabi”. Both these incidents are specifically mentioned to confirm that the Quran was being revealed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ through the Angel, rejecting the accusation by the Quraysh that the Prophet had created it himself.
Overall, the purpose of the revelation of Surah An-Najm was to reaffirm the basic concepts of Islam, which include:
Surah An-Najm is a Makki Surah. It was revealed in Mecca, in the fifth year after Prophethood.
Surah An-Najm is the 53rd Surah of the Quran and is placed in the 27th Juzz (Para). It comes after Surah At-Tur and before Surah Al-Qamar. It is the 23rd Surah in the order of revelation, whereas it falls at number 53 in the sequence of recitation.
Surah An-Najm holds great religious and spiritual significance in Islam, in many ways, which are summarized here.
The Surah emphasizes the core belief of Islam, i.e., Tawheed. Reciting this Surah strengthens our faith in the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and His Absolute Authority, who holds the Power and Command on everything, including the Day of Judgement, when believers will be rewarded, and disbelievers will be punished, entirely on the basis of what they had done in their worldly life.
The Surah also emphasizes and establishes the reality of the Prophethood and the truth of the revelation of the Quran, which was being sent down through the Angel Jibril, rejecting the accusations of the disbelievers that the Quranic verses are not divinely revealed but are concocted by the Prophet himself. Hence, the Surah powerfully established the authenticity of the Quran, as being the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Through the revelation of this Surah, the idol worship by the disbelievers of Quraysh is strongly rejected and condemned. This Surah completely rejected the false belief of Quraysh by naming their false gods, the likes of Lat, Manat, and Uzza. It provided a solid base for believers to focus their belief strictly on Tawheed.
This Surah specifically describes that the Quran was revealed on the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ through the Angel Jibril. In this context, the Surah describes that the Prophet has twice seen the Angel Jibril, once after the first revelation and secondly during the event of Ascension of the Prophet to the Heavens (Miraj an-Nabi).
A historical event is associated with this Surah, when the Prophet publicly recited it in the Ka’aba, in the presence of a large gathering that included both the believers and the non-believers. After reciting the last verse of this Surah (the verse of prostration), the Prophet bowed down in prostration, which was followed not only by the believers but also by the disbelievers of Quraysh. It was the impact and power of the truthfulness of the Quran that forced the disbelievers to bow down. This incident is mentioned in Hadith 1071 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, as follows:
Translation - Narrated Ibn `Abbas - The Prophet (ﷺ) prostrated while reciting An-Najm, and with him prostrated the Muslims, the pagans, the jinns, and all human beings.
Surah an-Najm starts with an oath typical of the Quran.
وَالنَّجْمِ اِذَا ہَوٰى۱ۙ
By the star when it goes down, -
This beautiful surah tells the infidels that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) does not speak man-made words. He recites the message of Allah, the One True Mighty Creator. The surah elaborates on the unique and high stature of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), for he is exalted even among all the Prophets of Allah. In the 14th verse of the surah, Allah says that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) came to the Lote tree, beyond which none may pass, and beyond which is the Jannah. Allah says that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) saw the heaven and the hell and all the signs of Allah and conveyed them truly to all humans so they may be guided to the right path.
Surah An-Najm goes on to warn the disbelievers for having doubts about the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are absolutely false. Moreover, the religions they were following before, such as idolatry, are based on invented ideas and false beliefs. It makes them understand how Islam is the message of truth and reality and how knowledge determines the truth. However, when the disbelievers are presented with knowledge regarding the right path of Islam, they avoid it.
The surah also discusses the attribute of Allah as the sovereign of the entire universe as it is He alone who has created the universe and brought it to existence. It aims to deliver an important message that those who follow Allah's way will be on the right path in this life and the hereafter. However, those who are misguided and refuse to acknowledge the truth are not hidden from Allah and will be held accountable for their actions and deeds on the day of judgment. The surah also establishes an important lesson – Allah rewards good with good but also punishes evil with punishment. However, for those who refrain from major sins, Allah will bestow mercy upon them and overlook any minor sins they may engage in.
Another significant theme in Surah an-Najm is the emphasis on the fact that Islam is the true religion and had been presented hundreds of years before the Quran, as well as in the books of Moses and Abraham. Moreover, they are also reminded that the punishments of the nations of Prophet Lut and Nuh, along with the destruction of Ad and Thamud, were not accidental calamities. Instead, they were the result of the nation's own consequences as they refused to acknowledge the truth and faith of Islam.
Surah an-Najm highlights the importance of sticking to Allah's guidance and orders for every believer. It reminds us to stick to the righteous path and do good, as everyone will be held accountable for whatever deeds and actions they exercise in their life. If one does good, he will be rewarded with good. However, those who practice evil will also meet their faith on the final day of judgment. Therefore, it's better to engage in righteous deeds and follow divine instructions to save one's self from Allah's wrath and punishment as there is certainly no escaping accountability for any human being.
The surah also articulates the perfection of Allah. It emphasizes Allah's power and accentuates His role as the sovereign and creator of the universe. Moreover, reciting surah an-Najm helps in spiritual fulfilment. The surah's words once reflected upon resonate with Muslims and offer a sense of solace and humility to strengthen their faith. Reading and recitation of the Quran has several benefits for every believer. Allah says in Surah Al-Isra:
"What We have sent down of the Qur'an is a healing and a grace for the faithful, and adds only loss for the sinners." – (17:82)
Reading the Quran also helps gain protection from hellfire.
"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." – Riyad-as-Salihin 991
Listening to the recitation of the Quranic Surahs is extremely beneficial in learning the correct pronunciation of the Quranic words. Reciting the Quran with correct pronunciation is quite a sensitive matter because even a slight mistake may lead to entirely different meanings. At times, it becomes quite difficult to follow the correct pronunciation, especially for a non-Arabic-speaking person. Additionally, sometimes one may just want to listen to the Quran instead of reading it on one's own. To overcome all these difficulties and requirements, listening to the recitation by a renowned reciter (Qari) can be highly beneficial.
The website and mobile application of the MuslimandQuran provide the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by the most authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops quite easily. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the Mobile Application of the MuslimandQuran to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah An-Najm.
The mobile application of the MuslimandQuran is available for both Android and iOS, which can be downloaded from Google Play and App Store, respectively, by clicking the links given below:
The website and mobile application of MuslimandQuran provide the facility of reading the Quran online, but if you prefer to read it offline, you can also download it in PDF for reading it at your convenience.
You can download Surah An-Najm in PDF by following these simple steps:
An-Najm translates to "stars". In the context of Surah An-Najm, it refers to the oath by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ on the fading away of stars.
Surah An-Najm has 62 verses.
Yes, all the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah An-Najm, are already uploaded on the Mobile Application and website of the Muslim and Quran. So, you can listen to it online on any of your mobile devices.
Reading any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah An-Najm, brings unlimited rewards. Hence, reading this Surah on a daily basis may bring rewards, although not specifically recommended by any scholar. You can read it whenever you may like, not necessarily on a daily basis.
The Quran, including Surah An-Najm, is for all of mankind, not specifically for any particular nation. Everyone can get the same benefits from reciting it. So, a non-Arabic speaker will get the equal benefits on recitation of Surah An-Najm, as an Arabic-speaking individual may get.