Surah Al-Buruj: Explanation and Benefits

July 3, 2022

By Eman Abdallah Kamel

Eman is a writer and an engineer. She also studied at Zad Scientific Academy (Online Academy) for Islamic Studies and the Arabic Language.

In this article, you will learn the explanation and benefits of Surah Al-Buruj (the Mansions of the Stars).

Al-Buruj

In Surah Al-Buruj, Allah Almighty tells the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) the story of the People of the Ditch (Al-Ukhdood). The story is about the believers who were burned in the ditch because they believed in God. The king and his aides who ordered the digging of the ditch were witnesses to this holocaust. Allah Almighty also confirmed that he accepts the repentance of those who committed this holocaust, with the promise of revenge from those who did not repent by the punishment of Hell in the hereafter.

Allah Almighty also confirms in Surah Al-Buruj that the Holy Quran is preserved from distortion.

Surah Al-Buruj: Meccan, 85, number of verses: 22, number of words: 109, number of letters: 459.

Tafsir (Explanation)

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

{1} By the heaven full of constellations,

Meaning: God Almighty swears by the sky and its constellations. And great stars it contains and regular planets that do not deviate from their paths. This indicates the power and greatness of God. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “Blessed is He Who has placed constellations in the sky, and a ˹radiant˺ lamp and a luminous moon.” Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion): 61

{2} And the promised Day (the Day of Judgment).

{3} And by the witness and what is witnessed,

Scholars of Tafsir (interpretation) stated that God swore by the witness and what is witnessed.

From the witnesses:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah said in the Holy Quran, “So how will it be when We bring from every faith community a witness, and We bring you {O Prophet} as a witness against these people?” An-Nisa (The Women): 41
The organs of the human body bear witness to what he did, good or bad. Allah says, “On a Day when their tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness against them for what they used to do.” Surah An-Noor (The Light): 24
Angels will bear witness on the Day of Resurrection. Allah says in the Holy Quran, “But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down to you. He has sent it with His knowledge. And the angels bear witness as well. And Allah is sufficient as Witness” (Surah An-Nisa: 166).

As for what is witnessed, like the day of Arafat and the Day of Resurrection, Allah says: (This is a Day (the Day of Judgment) for which humanity will be collected, and that is a Day that will be witnessed.) Surah Hud: 103

{4} Destroyed [i.e., cursed] were the makers of the trench.

(The makers of the trench): They are infidels who have burned the believers in the fire. These infidels tried to prevent the believers from worshipping Allah, but they failed. They drilled a great trench in the ground. And they collected firewood and burnt believers in it.

{5} The fire filled with fuel.

{6} When they were sitting around it.

Meaning that these infidels were sitting by the fire watching the torture of the believers. This indicates the severity of the hardness of their heart.

{7} And they (the king and his companions who ordered the trench to be dug and their followers) to what they were doing against the believers were witnesses.

{8} And they resented them for no reason other than they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.

{9} Meaning: Allah, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is nothing hidden for Him. Allah is a witness to everything.

{10} Meaning that those who burned and tortured the believing men and women and then did not repent of their unbelief and what they did with the believers. They will have the punishment of Hell. In the hereafter, their torment will be more severe than their unbelief for burning the believers.

{11} Surely, those who believed and did righteous deeds will have in the Hereafter, Gardens under which rivers flow. That is the greatest triumph.

{12} Meaning: Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is severe.

{13} It is He who to originate and repeat.

That is, He who creates creation from the beginning and then repeats it back at the resurrection.

{14} And He is the Forgiving, All-Loving.

{15} Lord of the Throne, the All-Glorious.

{16} Doer of what He wills.

{17} Has the story of the soldiers reached you (O Prophet)—Meaning: God Almighty says to His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), Has the story of the soldiers reached you, O Muhammad?

{18} The forces of Pharaoh and Thamûd?

Pharaoh’s story: God destroyed him and his soldiers and saved the believers, who followed Allah’s prophet Moses (peace and blessings upon him).
The story of Thamud: God destroyed them all and saved Allah’s Prophet Salih (peace and blessings upon him) and his followers.

{19} Meaning: Yet they who disbelieve are still in (persist) denial.

{20} That is, Allah encompasses them from all sides.

{21} Indeed, this is a glorious Quran.

{22} Meaning: In a preserved Slate, it is neither changed nor distorted.

Allah also says in the Holy Quran, “Allah eliminates and confirms what He wills, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.” Surah Ar-Ra‘d (The Thunder): 39

What is the Mother of the Book?
The Mother of the Book is the Preserved Slate (al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfuẓ). In which is inscribed the original of every scripture revealed by Allah.

Benefits

Verse 10 confirms that God Almighty accepts the repentance of the penitent, no matter how great the sins are. Allah Almighty says, “Say, O Prophet, that Allah says, ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar (The Troops): 53)
God Almighty may bring the infidels to power over the believers, killing them or using all means of torture against them. This is a test from Allah for believers to determine their patience and the intensity of their faith in God. God promised the believers a great reward. God Almighty confirms this in verse 11. Allah also says, (But those who believe and do good will have a reward uninterrupted) (Surah Al-Inshiqaq: 25).

Long Way Education