Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 17 Surah al-Najm, Chapter 53, Verses 1 - 32 (The Star) Section (juz’): 27 Number of Verses: 62 General Overview of the Chapter بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The Chapter, requiring obligatory prostration, has sixty two Verses and it was revealed in Mecca.
The designation of the Chapter derives from the first Verse in which God Almighty swears by the star. Chapter 53 makes reference to the position of Revelation and the manner of its Revelation to the Noble Prophet's (S) heart and like Chapter 17 treats of the Noble Prophet's (S) Ascension to the heavens. Another part of the Chapter deals with polytheists' superstitious and idolatrous customs and rituals and worshipping angels and the same is condemned herein.
It also discusses the states of the virtuous and the evil people the standard of which is remembrance of the Resurrection Day and Divine Reward and Recompense.
📌Merits of the Recitation of the Chapter Significant merits have been enumerated in traditions for recitation of the Chapter among which is a tradition narrated from Imam Sadiq (as): "One who always recites Surah al-Najm every day and night is recognized amongst people as a meritorious person and God Almighty will forgive his sins and will win popularity amongst people." [^1] Other traditions in this vein are not mentioned for the sake of brevity.
Undoubtedly such great rewards are bestowed upon those who recite the Chapter as a means of contemplation and acting upon its Injunctions such that the teachings may shed their light on their lives. Surah al-Najm - Verses 1-2 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَی مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَی 1. By the star when it goes down. 2. Indeed, your companion [ (S)] has neither gone astray nor has erred.
The Chapter opens with the word najm "star" by which God Almighty swears ("By the star when it goes down"). Exegetes provide many a view regarding the contextual meaning of the word. Some maintain that it makes a reference to the Holy Qur’an since such connotation is consistent with the following blessed Verses regarding Divine Revelation. They hold that the expression alludes to the Arab's practice of terming as star what develops in time at different intervals.