Surah Al-Hijr 15:17

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).