God validates Muhammad


Surah 53: The Star

“1. By the star as it goes down.
2. Your friend has not gone astray, nor has he erred.
3. Nor does he speak out of desire.
4. It is but a revelation revealed.
5. Taught to him by the Extremely Powerful.
6. The one of vigor. He settled.
7. While he was at the highest horizon.
8. Then he came near, and hovered around.
9. He was within two bow’s length, or closer.
10. The He revealed to His servant what He revealed.
11. The heart did not lie about what it saw.
12. Will you dispute with him concerning what he saw?
13. He saw him on another descent.
14. At the Lotus Tree of the Extremity.
15. Near which is the Garden or Repose.
16. As there covered the Lotus Tree what covered it.
17. The sight did not waver, not did it exceed.
18. He saw some of the Great Signs of his Lord.”

In the beginning, God has taken an oath to prove to any and all non-believers that Muhammad was on the right path. The people of mecca bore witness to the fact that all throughout his life, Muhammad had never been involved in any wrong or indecent activities. In fact, his righteousness was a recognized fact, so why does God need to prove it to everyone? Why, when Muhammad had brought to the people the true religion of God, were they doubting him? It’s an interesting way to begin the chapter.

The Quran was being labeled a fake, so God warns those who are discrediting it. He says that Muhammad meeting Gabriel was not a one-time occurrence, and therefore those who deny Muhammad and the Quran are unequivocally wrong (because God just said that Muhammad did meet Gabriel, multiple times, and who are they to argue with God?).

Furthermore, Muhammad goes on his “night journey”, seeing Paradise and Hell and many other displays of God’s omnipotence. God allows Muhammad to see all of this so that he may return to the world and spread the realities of life and death. Muhammad became the messenger of God’s word, speaking from first-hand knowledge and experience.


“42. And that to your Lord is the finality.
43. And that it is He who causes laughter and weeping.
44. And that it is He who gives death and life.
45. And that it is He who created the two kinds—the male and the female.
46. From a sperm drop, when emitted.
47. And that upon Him is the next existence.
48. And that it is He who enriches and impoverishes.
49. And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius.
50. And that it is He who destroyed the first Aad.
51. And Thamood, sparing no one.
52. And the people of Noah before that; for they were most unjust and most oppressive.
53. And He toppled the ruined cities.
54. And covered them with whatever covered them.
55. So which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?
56. This is a warning, just like the first warnings.
57. The inevitable is imminent.
58. None besides God can unveil it.
59. Do you marvel at this discourse?
60. And laugh, and do not weep?
61. Lost in your frivolity?
62. So bow down to God, and worship.”

Nobody or nothing other than God is capable of making every event in the universe occur. Life, death, happiness, grief, riches, poverty, etc., flows from God and God alone, according to the text. God is the one who provides life and is the one who will take it away, so the text implores the audience to spend every moment of their lives in service and devotion to Him. The consequences of not doing so will be severe, as God is the only one who can save people from eternal suffering, so one better be ready to meet their maker on the Day of Judgment.




Images: Giphy, Unsplash

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