and as markers—that is, signs indicating directions, lands, and the like.

a means by which people are guided, meaning that people find their way with them, alluding to His words, “And it is He who has made for you the stars so that you may be guided by them in the darkness of the land and sea” (al-Anʿām 97).

Whoever interprets them for anything else—that is, whoever attributes to them other than these three purposes mentioned by Allah—has claimed knowledge of the unseen.

he has erred, for he has spoken without knowledge about the unseen;

and he has squandered his share, meaning his portion of lifetime, because he preoccupied himself with what brings no benefit, indeed with what is harmful.

Overall meaning of the report: Qatadah (may Allah have mercy on him) sets out the wisdom for which Allah created the stars—as Allah Himself stated in His Book—in refutation of those who emerged in his era holding beliefs about the stars contrary to what their Creator affirmed. Such people spoke without knowledge, spent their lives on what harms them, and burdened themselves with what lies beyond their capacity. The same is true for anyone who seeks the truth from other than the Book and the Sunnah.

Relevance of the report to the chapter: it clarifies the wisdom in the creation of the stars, as stated by Allah, and refutes those who claim a purpose for the stars that contradicts what Allah has mentioned.

Points derived from the report:

1. An explanation of the wisdom behind the creation of the stars, as indicated by the Qur’an.
2. A refutation of those who allege that the stars were created for a purpose other than what Allah has stated.
3. The necessity of returning to the Book of Allah to distinguish truth from falsehood.
4. Whoever seeks guidance from sources other than the Book and the Sunnah has missed the mark, wasted his time, and imposed upon himself what he cannot attain.