The Quran

سورة الحِجر

Surah Al-Hijr 15:16

The Rock · Verse 16 of 99

وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّاهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ

Abdul Mannan Omar

We have indeed set up constellations in the heaven, and We have decked it fair for the beholders,

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It is We Who have set out the zodiacal signs in the heavens, and made them fair-seeming to (all) beholders;

Ahmed Ali

We have placed the signs of the Zodiac in the sky, and decked it out for those who can see;

12 more translations

Ali Unal

(As evidence for a people open to belief) We have assuredly set in the heaven great constellations, and We have made it (the heaven) beautiful for those beholding;

Daryabadi

And assuredly We have set constellations in the heaven and made it fairseeming unto the beholders

Faridul Haque

And indeed We created towers in the skies, and beautified it for the beholders.

Maulana Muhammad Ali

And certainly We have made strongholds in the heaven, and We have made it fair-seeming to the beholders,

Maulvi Sher Ali

And WE have, indeed, made mansions of stars in the heaven and have adorned it for beholders.

Muhammad Asad

AND, INDEED, We have set up in the heavens great constellations, and endowed them with beauty for all to behold;

Muhammad Musin Khan

And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders.

Muhammad Pickthall

And verily in the heaven we have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders.

Muhammad Sarwar

We have made constellations in the sky and decorated them for the onlookers.

Muhammed ali Shakir

And certainly We have made strongholds in the heaven and We have made it fair seeming to the beholders.

Rashad Khalifa

We placed galaxies in the sky, and adorned it for the beholders.

Shabbir Ahmed

We have set constellations in the Sky and We have beautified it for the beholders.

Commentary 15:16-18 Barûj بَروج is the plural of buraj بُرَج, denoting motions of spheres, constellations or towers. It is derived from barija بَرِج, which means to have…

On 15:16–18

وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِي السَّمَاءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّاهَا لِلنَّاظِرِينَ﴿١٦﴾ وَحَفِظْنَاهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ رَّجِيمٍ﴿١٧﴾ إِلَّا مَنِ اسْتَرَقَ السَّمْعَ فَأَتْبَعَهُ شِهَابٌ مُّبِينٌ

15:16-18 Barûj بَروج is the plural of buraj بُرَج, denoting motions of spheres, constellations or towers. It is derived from barija بَرِج, which means to have a good face, beauty, and finery.

Shaitân شَيْطَانٍ is the rebellious and rejected one. Shatana شطَىنَ means “he was or became remote from all that is good and true”. It also signifies one who is excessively proud, rebellious or audacious, whether a simple human being, a jinn, or a beast (Tâj, Râghib, Ibn Jarîr, Kashshaf, Baidzawî cf.: 2:36). The verse contains further information pertaining to certain laws of physics. It informs us that in heaven, which is adorned with stars (cf. 67:5), there are towers and protective constellations, and those shooting stars (meaning meteorites that enter the earths atmosphere), guard these. Most meteorites disintegrate because of the heat that is generated; see also the verses 37:10-11, 67:5 and 72:10-11, which deal with the same topic. There are additional verses in the Holy Qur’ân (for example 77:1-9 and 79:1-8) that convey similar information when their more profound meanings are taken into consideration. These verses also undermine the claims of fortunetellers, psychics, and astrologers. These people pretend to receive communication from “above” but in reality fabricate their prophecies and have no access to the true source of purity and holiness. The description of spiritual truth in words relating to physical laws is a common occurrence in the Holy Qur’ân (cf. 37:8; 67:5; 72:8).