(15–29) “I swear by the stars that retreat * those that run their courses and disappear * and by the night as it recedes * and by the dawn as it breathes * indeed, this is the word of a noble messenger * possessed of power and held in honor with the Lord of the Throne * obeyed there and trustworthy * your companion is not mad * he certainly saw him on the clear horizon * nor does he withhold knowledge of the unseen * and this is not the word of an accursed devil * so where are you going? * It is only a reminder to all peoples * for whoever among you wishes to follow the straight path * but you cannot will unless Allah, Lord of all peoples, wills.”
Allah Most High swears “by the stars that retreat.” These are the heavenly bodies that retreat—that is, lag behind the usual motion of the stars toward the east. They are the seven wandering stars: the sun, the moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and Mercury. These seven have two motions: ⦗913⦘ a westward motion together with the other stars and celestial spheres (1), and an opposing eastward motion peculiar to these seven alone.
Allah swears by them as they retreat—that is, lag behind—as they run their courses, and as they disappear, meaning that they are concealed during the day. It is also possible that all the stars (2) are meant, both the wandering stars and all others.
“And by the night as it recedes”—that is, departs, though it has also been said to mean when it approaches. “And by the dawn as it breathes”—that is, when the signs of dawn become visible (3) and the light gradually breaks forth until it reaches its fullness and the sun rises. These are mighty signs by which Allah swears to the exalted chain through which the Quran was transmitted (4), its majesty, and its preservation from every accursed devil. He therefore says: “Indeed, this is the word of a noble messenger.” This messenger is Gabriel, peace be upon him, who brought it down from Allah Most High, as He says: “Indeed, it is a revelation from the Lord of all peoples. The Trustworthy Spirit brought it down upon your heart so that you might be one of the warners.” Allah describes him as noble because of his noble character and his many praiseworthy qualities. He is the finest of the angels and the highest in rank before his Lord, “possessed of power” to carry out what Allah commands him. One manifestation of his power was that he overturned the settlements of Lot’s people upon them and destroyed them.
“With the Lord of the Throne”—that is, Gabriel is brought near to Allah. He enjoys an exalted station and a special distinction that Allah has conferred upon him. “Held in honor”—that is, he has a rank and standing above that of all the other angels.
“Obeyed there”—that is, Gabriel is obeyed among the heavenly assembly. He has (5) troops among the angels brought near to Allah; his commands are carried out among them, and his judgment is obeyed. “Trustworthy”—that is, he faithfully carries out what he has been commanded. He neither adds nor omits anything, nor does he overstep the limits set for him. [All] of this demonstrates the Quran’s honored status before Allah Most High, for He sent it with this noble angel, who possesses all these perfect qualities. Kings customarily entrust only those dear to them with the most important missions and the noblest messages.
After mentioning the excellence of the angelic messenger who brought the Quran, Allah mentions the excellence of the human messenger upon whom the Quran was sent down and who called people to it. He says: “Your companion”—Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“is not mad,” contrary to the claim of his enemies who rejected his message and fabricated against him whatever allegations they wished and were able to devise, hoping thereby to extinguish what he had brought. Rather, he was the most perfect of people in reason, the soundest in judgment, and the most truthful in speech.
“He certainly saw him on the clear horizon”—that is, Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw Gabriel, peace be upon him, upon the clear horizon, the highest expanse visible to the eye.
“Nor does he withhold knowledge of the unseen”—that is, he cannot be accused regarding what Allah revealed to him of adding to it, omitting from it, or concealing any part of it. Rather, he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was trusted by the inhabitants of heaven and earth and conveyed his Lord’s messages with perfect clarity. He withheld none of it from rich or poor, ruler or subject, male or female, city-dweller or Bedouin. Allah therefore sent him among an unlettered nation steeped in gross ignorance, yet he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not die until they had become godly scholars and discerning learned men. They attained the utmost heights in the sciences and the furthest bounds in deriving subtle insights and understanding. They are the masters, while the most others can aspire to is to be among their students.
“And this is not the word of an accursed devil.” After mentioning the majesty of His Book (6) and its excellence by speaking of the two noble messengers through whom it reached the people—and praising them as He did—Allah declared it free of every defect or deficiency that might impugn its truthfulness. He says: “And this is not the word of an accursed devil”—one utterly remote from Allah and from nearness to Him. “So where are you going?” That is: How could this even occur to you, and where have your minds gone? How could you place the truth, which occupies the highest degree of truthfulness, on the same level as falsehood, which occupies the lowest, [vilest], and basest degree of falsity? Is this anything but a reversal of realities?
“It is only a reminder to all peoples.” Through it they remember their Lord, His attributes of perfection, and all deficiencies, vices, [and likenesses] from which He must be declared exalted. Through it they remember the commands and prohibitions and the wisdom underlying them, as well as the divine decrees, religious rulings, and laws of recompense. In short, through it they are reminded of what benefits them in both abodes, and by acting upon it they attain happiness in both.
“For whoever among you wishes to follow the straight path,” once ⦗914⦘ right guidance has been distinguished from error and guidance from misguidance. “But you cannot will unless Allah, Lord of all peoples, wills”—that is, His will is always carried out and can neither be opposed nor resisted. This verse and others like it refute both Qadarite factions: those who deny divine decree and those who affirm compulsion, as has been explained previously regarding similar verses. [Allah knows best, and all praise belongs to Allah].