81:1
When the sun (with its spacious light) is folded up;
Death of the Stars and the Sun
According to The Qur’an: Its Undeniable Miracles, Qur’anic verses referring to the end of celestial bodies are interpreted as descriptions of the eventual extinction of stars and the transformation of the universe. At the time the Qur’an was revealed in the seventh century, the physical structure of stars and the mechanisms by which they produce energy were unknown. Many people assumed that the light of the stars would persist indefinitely. The Qur’an, however, includes passages that appear to describe the eventual disappearance of stellar light, which some commentators view as an indication of the finite lifespan of stars.
For example, the Qur’an states, “When the stars are put out” (Qur’an 77:8) and “When the planets are scattered” (Qur’an 82:2). In Arabic terminology, the word najm generally refers to a star, while kawkab refers to a planet. The distinction suggests that the Qur’an differentiates between luminous stars and non-luminous planetary bodies. Because planets depend on the gravitational influence of a central star, the destruction or disappearance of that star could result in the dispersal of the planetary system.
Another verse states, “When the sun is rolled up” (Qur’an 81:1). The Arabic word takwīr conveys the idea of wrapping or folding something into a rounded or coiled form, similar to the winding of a turban. Some interpreters associate this imagery with the eventual collapse or transformation of the sun. Modern astrophysics explains that stars generate energy through nuclear fusion, in which hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium, releasing heat and radiation. When the hydrogen fuel in a star is depleted, the star undergoes structural changes and ultimately reaches the end of its life cycle. Depending on its mass, a star may pass through stages such as a red giant, white dwarf, or, in some cases, a black hole. Based on its size, the sun is expected to expand into a red giant before eventually reaching its final stage.
Historically, the sun was often regarded as a divine or eternal entity by certain civilizations. However, modern scientific discoveries have demonstrated that the sun and the universe itself are not eternal but subject to physical processes that lead to eventual transformation or decay. In Islamic thought, the concept of a finite universe is linked with the belief in the Day of Judgment and the resurrection of the dead. The Qur’an states, “Indeed, the Hour is coming—there is no doubt about it—and Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves” (Qur’an 22:7).
Thus, Qur’anic descriptions of cosmic events, including the extinction of stars and the transformation of the sun, are interpreted by some scholars as being consistent with contemporary scientific understanding of stellar evolution.
References:
Ali, Project. THE QURAN: Its Undeniable Miracles . Unknown. Kindle Edition.