Surah at-Takwir (The Wrapping ) 81 : 17

Overview (Verses 15 - 20)

A Splendid Universal Scene
 
The second part of the surah opens with a form of oath using some very beautiful scenes of the universe. Essentially, this oath is made to assert the nature of revelation, the angel carrying it, and the Messenger receiving and delivering it to us, as well as people’s attitudes to it, all in accordance with God’s will: “I swear by the turning stars, which move swiftly and hide themselves away, and by the night as it comes darkening on, and by the dawn as it starts to breathe, this is truly the word of a noble and mighty messenger, who enjoys a secure position with the Lord of the Throne. He is obeyed in heaven, faithful to his trust. Your old friend is not mad. He saw him on the clear horizon. He does not grudge the secrets of the unseen. It is not the word of an accursed devil. Whither then are you going? This is only a reminder to all mankind, to those of you whose will is to be upright. Yet, you cannot will except by the will of God, Lord of all the worlds.” (Verses 15-29)
 
The stars referred to here are those which turn in their orbit, and are characterized by their swift movement and temporary disappearance. In translating the text we have to forego the metaphor used in Arabic which draws an analogy between these stars and the deer as they run at great speed towards their homes, disappear for a while and then reappear at a different point. This metaphor adds considerable liveliness and beauty to the description of the movement of the stars, which echoes the fine rhythm of the expression.
 
Again, the rhythm of the Arabic verse translated as “and by the night as it comes darkening on” gives a feeling of life, depicting the night as a living being. The beauty of the Arabic expression is of surpassing excellence. The same applies to the next verse: “and by the dawn as it starts to breathe”. This verse is indeed more effective in portraying dawn as alive, breathing. Its breath is the spreading light and the life that begins to stir in everything. I doubt whether the Arabic language, with its inexhaustible wealth of imagery and vivid expression, can produce an image portraying dawn which can be considered equal to this Qur’anic image in aesthetic effect. After a fine night, one can almost feel that dawn is breathing.
 
Any aesthete will readily perceive that the divine words of the first four verses of this second part of the surah constitute a gem of expression and description: “I swear by the turning stars, which move swiftly and hide themselves away, and by the night as it comes darkening on, and by the dawn as it starts to breathe.” (Verses 15-18) This descriptive wealth adds power to man’s feelings as he responds to the natural phenomena to which the verses refer.
 
The Two Messengers
 
As the Qur’an makes this brief, full-of-life description of these phenomena it establishes a spiritual link between them and man, with the result that, as we read, we feel the power which created these phenomena, and the truth which we are called upon to believe. This truth is then stated in a manner which fits in superbly with the general theme of the surah: “This is truly the word of a noble and mighty messenger, who enjoys a secure position with the Lord of the Throne. He is obeyed in heaven, faithful to his trust.” (Verses 19-21) This Qur’an with its description of the Day of Judgement is the word of a noble and mighty messenger, i.e. Jibril or Gabriel, the angel who carried and delivered it to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
 
The surah then gives a description of this chosen messenger. He is ‘noble’, honoured by God who says that he is ‘mighty’, which suggests that considerable strength is required to carry and convey the Qur’an. “Who enjoys a secure position with the Lord of the Throne.” (Verse 20) What a great honour for Jibril to enjoy such a position with the Lord of the universe. “He is obeyed in heaven”, i.e. by the other angels. He is also “faithful to his trust”, carrying and discharging the message.