Surah An-Najm 53:49
سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ · Meccan · Verse 49 of 62
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ
Translation
that He is the Lord of Sirius;
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
In Surah An-Najm, Allah declares a series of profound truths about His absolute power and unique Lordship, setting straight human misconceptions. Verse 49, وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ (And that He is the Lord of al-Shi'ra), is a powerful statement addressed to those in the time of the Prophet Muhammad, and indeed all times, who might attribute divine power to anything other than Allah. It is a direct refutation of star worship, a practice common among some Arabs of the pre-Islamic era.
Why This Star?
The word *al-Shi'ra* (الشِّعْرَى) refers to a specific, exceptionally bright star, known to us as Sirius. What's striking about Allah choosing to name *this particular star* is its historical context. As scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Razi explain, al-Shi'ra was worshipped by certain Arab tribes, especially Khuzā'ah, who lived near Makkah. This choice of a specific object of worship, rather than a general term for stars, is a powerful rhetorical device. It directly addresses the specific idolatry prevalent among the immediate audience, dismantling their beliefs with precision. It's as if Allah is saying, "You worship this incredibly bright star, but even it has a Lord, and that Lord is Me."
The Power of "He"
The verse uses the emphatic pronoun *huwa* (هُوَ), meaning "He." So, it reads "And that *He, He* is the Lord of al-Shi'ra." The inclusion of this pronoun, "He," after "And that He" (وَأَنَّهُۥ), is not a mere repetition. In Arabic rhetoric, as Ibn Ashur notes, this structure (called a pronoun of separation or *damir al-fasl*) conveys exclusivity and strong emphasis. It means that Allah *alone* is the Lord of al-Shi'ra. It unequivocally denies any notion that the star itself possesses divine power or that any other entity shares in its Lordship. It cuts off any possibility of attributing power to the star or any other creation.
This precise wording challenges us to consider where we place our awe and reliance. Just as al-Shi'ra, despite its brilliance, is merely a creation, every powerful or beautiful thing we perceive is under the singular dominion of Allah. This verse, through its specific word choice and grammatical emphasis, invites us to recognize Allah's absolute control over all things, visible and invisible, and to direct our worship and dependence solely to Him.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Najm 53:49 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Najm 53:49 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.