527 Page Notes

53 Surah An-Najm (continued)

Page 527 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 527 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Surah An-Najm (Chapter 53), verses 27 through 44, focuses on correcting the misconceptions of the idolaters regarding the nature of angels and divine accountability, while emphasizing Allah’s absolute knowledge and sovereignty.

Thematic Context and Sunnah

While there are few traditions that provide a specific "narrative" or asbab al-nuzul (reason for revelation) exclusively for this segment, these verses are central to the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) mission of correcting the theological errors of the Quraish.

• Refuting Conjecture (Verses 28–29): Verse 28 states, "And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow only assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all." This is a fundamental principle in the Sunnah. The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly warned against relying on conjecture (zann). A well-known Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim records the Prophet (ﷺ) stating: "Beware of suspicion (zann), for suspicion is the most false of speech." Scholars of tafsir consistently link this Hadith to these verses of Surah An-Najm as a divine endorsement of the necessity of relying on revealed knowledge rather than human speculation.

• The Limit of Human Effort (Verses 39–41): Verses 39–41 state: "And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense." These verses underscore individual accountability—a core tenet of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) teachings. In the Sunnah, this is often expressed through the concept that deeds are judged by their intentions (niyyah) and that every individual is responsible for their own actions.

Historical Significance of the Surah

As noted in the broader context of the Sunnah, Surah An-Najm was the first chapter of the Quran the Prophet (ﷺ) recited publicly before an assembly of the Quraish (Sahih Bukhari, 1071). The power of its message, including the verses you requested, was so profound that even the polytheists present at the time were moved to prostrate when the Prophet (ﷺ) finished the final verse requiring a Sajdah (prostration). This event illustrates the "compelling truth" of the Surah's message that even those who opposed the Prophet (ﷺ) found difficult to ignore.

Scholarly References

• Al-Bukhari, M. i. I. Sahih al-Bukhari. (The collection includes the account of the Prophet's public recitation of this Surah).

• Ibn Kathir. Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim. (This standard commentary explicitly links the condemnation of zann in verse 28 to the Prophetic warnings against suspicion/conjecture).

• Maududi, S. A. A. Tafhim al-Qur'an. (Provides analysis on how these verses dismantled the polytheistic logic of the Meccans).

Surah An-Najm (Chapter 53), Verses 27 through 44 spans the entirety of page 527 in the standard Madinah mushaf (Quran). This section deals with profound theological truths: it rebukes the pagan practice of giving angels female names, commands the Prophet to turn away from those who only desire the life of this world, outlines Allah's absolute justice (rewarding the good and punishing the evil), and highlights the traits of the righteous. It culminates in a powerful series of verses declaring Allah's absolute control over life, death, laughter, tears, wealth, and creation.

The authentic Hadiths and prophetic traditions linked to this specific page provide critical context for these verses.

1. Turning Away from Worldly Obsession (Verse 29)

“So turn away from him who turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.”

• Sunnah Link (Prophetic Supplication): The Prophet Muhammad frequently taught his companions to guard themselves against making this worldly life (Ad-Dunya) their sole intellectual and spiritual boundary. In a famous Hadith recorded in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah would rarely stand up from a gathering without making this supplication for his companions:
  “...O Allah, do not make our misfortunes afflict our religion, and do not make the world our greatest concern, nor the full extent of our knowledge (wa la taj'al id-dunya akbara hammina wa la mablagha 'ilmina)...” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Book 48, Hadith 3502; graded Hasan/Sahih).
  This prophetic prayer is a direct practical application of avoiding the spiritual state condemned in Verses 29–30.

2. Defining the Major Sins and Small Faults (Verse 32)

“Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight faults (Al-Lamam). Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness...”

The companions of the Prophet sought explicit clarification on what constituted Al-Lamam (slight, accidental, or minor faults) vs. major, destructive sins.

Ibn Abbas's Explanation (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah narrated that he heard the Prophet's cousin, Abdullah ibn Abbas, explain this exact verse:

"I have not seen anything that resembles 'Al-Lamam' (slight faults) more closely than what Abu Hurairah narrated from the Prophet, who said: 'Allah has written for the son of Adam his inevitable share of adultery which he will commit of necessity: The adultery of the eye is the glance; the adultery of the tongue is the speech; and the inner self wishes and longs, and the private parts validate that or belie it.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 79, Hadith 6243; Sahih Muslim, Book 46, Hadith 2657).

• Theological Context: The Sunnah establishes that Al-Lamam are those minor, fleeting thoughts or glances that a believer immediately repents from, which Allah promises to forgive if the person actively avoids major boundaries of immorality (Kaba'ir).

3. Divine Accountability: None Bears the Burden of Another (Verse 38)

“That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.”

This fundamental principle of Islamic justice is echoed heavily across the Sunnah, establishing individual accountability over tribal or familial guilt.

The Prophet's Warning to His Family (Sahih al-Bukhari)

When the verses of accountability were established, the Prophet explicitly warned his closest relatives that his status would not absolve them of personal responsibility before Allah.

Abu Hurairah narrated: When the verse of warning was revealed, the Messenger of Allah stood up and said: "O people of Quraysh! Buy (insure) yourselves; I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O Bani Abd Manaf! I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib! I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O Safiyah (the aunt of Allah's Messenger)! I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad! Ask me for whatever you like from my wealth, but I cannot avail you at all against Allah." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55, Hadith 4771).

4. The Fulfillment of Ibrahim (Verse 37)

“And [the scripture of] Abraham who fulfilled [his obligations]”

• Sunnah Link: The Prophet Muhammad explained what earned Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) the high praise of "fulfilling his obligations" (Waffa). In a tradition recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, the Prophet stated that Ibrahim fulfilled his daily obligations by strictly maintaining specific supplications every morning and evening: “So glory be to Allah when you enter the evening and when you enter the morning...” [Surah Ar-Rum 30:17-18]. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 15611).

5. Ultimate Divine Power: Laughter and Tears (Verse 43)

“And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weeps.”

• Sunnah Link: The Prophet deeply understood the gravity of cosmic reality compared to human joviality. Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: "If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 81, Hadith 6485). The Sunnah balances this by showing that the Prophet used to smile warmly with his companions, but when he observed the signs of Allah (like a solar eclipse or heavy storm clouds), his face would change out of awe and fear of Allah's decree, reflecting total submission to the One who controls both joy and grief.

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. Sahih al-Bukhari. (Hadiths concerning Al-Lamam, the warning of individual accountability to Fatimah, and prophetic laughter/weeping).

• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim. (Hadith regarding the written share of minor faults).

• At-Tirmidhi, M. I. Jami` at-Tirmidhi. (The Prophetic prayer regarding worldly concerns).

• Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Musnad Ahmad. (Tradition concerning Prophet Ibrahim fulfilling his daily obligations).