16:15-16
16:15
And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and
roads; that ye may guide
yourselves;
16:16
And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves
Stars and Planets
The following excerpt is taken from “The Quran and Modern Science” by Maurice Bucaille:
Stars and Planets
In Qurʾān 86:3, the term najm (“star”) is accompanied by the descriptive adjective thāqib, which conveys the sense of something that pierces through darkness with a burning or penetrating brightness. This description has been interpreted as referring to a celestial body that produces its own light. Modern astronomical understanding similarly recognizes that stars are luminous bodies that generate their own energy and light through internal processes.
In contrast, the Qurʾān employs a different term, kawkab, to refer to planets. Unlike stars, planets do not produce their own light but instead reflect the light of nearby stars, such as the sun. The distinction in terminology has therefore been interpreted as reflecting a conceptual differentiation between self-luminous stars and planets that shine by reflected light.
“We have adorned the lowest heaven with ornaments, the planets” Quran 37:6 {And it is He Who created the stars for you, that you may be guided by them in the darknessof land
and sea. We thus explain the revelations for people who know. }
The following excerpt is taken from “Maariful Quran”
Vol 3 pg. 420:
“(And He is the one who made for you the stars, so that you may be guided by them in ’darknesses’ of the land and the sea).
The passage emphasizes that, in addition to the sun and the moon, the universe contains numerous other stars that serve as further manifestations of divine power. Among the various purposes they fulfill, one practical benefit for human beings has historically been navigation. Travelers crossing open seas or vast land areas have long relied on the positions of stars to determine direction during the darkness of night. Even in the modern era, when advanced navigational technologies are widely available, the observation of stars can still provide valuable guidance under certain circumstances.
Beyond their practical function, the verse also invites reflection on the broader significance of these celestial bodies. The stars are presented as existing and operating in accordance with the command of their Creator, rather than functioning independently or without purpose. This perspective encourages individuals to look beyond the visible phenomena of the heavens and recognize the divine origin behind them. Focusing solely on the stars themselves, while neglecting the Creator who brought them into existence and governs their motion, is portrayed as a form of limited understanding that overlooks the deeper meaning embedded in the order of the cosmos.
References:
Abd-Allah, Muhamed. 323 Verses on Science in the Quran . Kindle Edition.
Bucaille, Maurice (1976). The Quran and Modern Science. What is the Origin of Man?:
Shafi, Muhammad (2008). Maariful Quran. (Vol .3 pg. 420).