STAR-LIT NIGHT

Verily, We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty). (37:6) – Chapter of Those Ranged in Ranks (Surah Saffat)

Stars have never ceased to amaze man. The beauty and magnificence of those spots, thousands of miles away from the earth is always a wonder sight that never misses any eye. In the ancient times, before the advent of clocks and compasses, stars were the major structures used for finding out the directions to reach particular destinations, especially for people who traveled through oceans and deserts. The scientific information about stars revealed by scientists is even more mind boggling.

With the aid of advanced technologies, it has been found that there exist about three thousand crores of cluster of stars or galaxies, each with different positions, sizes and other characteristic dimensions. Still, many of their features are not yet known. Astronauts and space scientists are forever in the journey of searching and understanding more about these twinkling structures that appear just as a dot to our eyes when observed from earth.

It might be because of the fact that man has got much to learn from the stars, that there is a whole chapter in the Holy Quran named after them. But they are not to be worshiped or given any meanings for their positions, as they are solely a creation of Almighty just like all others. In the above verse, Allah says that He has created the stars, as a phenomenon that makes the sky more mesmerizing, so that we may see them as a blessing and sign from almighty, along with believing that they are not only created for admiration. It is also described that the stars are placed in the nearest heaven, which points to the creation of seven heavens as mentioned in various other verses throughout the Quran. And the nearest heaven to the earth is adorned with the stars.

Hence, a star not only brings a lot of emotions to people who think about them, but also kindles faith and thought of the supreme power behind the creation of it, in a believer’s mind.