Tafsir Surah Mulk Ayat 5: The Heavens Adorned and the Fate of Disbelievers

Ayat 5 of Surah Mulk emphasizes the perfection and beauty of creation, particularly the heavens. Allah states, "And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars." The Arabic word 'masabih' (lamps) is used for stars, signifying their illuminating nature, similar to how lamps light up a room. This also highlights the vastness of the first heaven, encompassing billions of galaxies visible through telescopes. The use of 'laqad' (certainly) twice stresses the immense importance and truth of this statement, akin to an oath from Allah. The change in pronoun from 'He' to 'We' (Kataganti kedua) for Allah is a linguistic emphasis, drawing attention to Allah as the sole creator of this magnificent design, demonstrating the beauty and rhetorical richness of the Quranic language.

Beyond their aesthetic function, the stars (or phenomena associated with them) are described as 'rujuman lish-shayatin' (projectiles against devils). This refers to the expulsion of jinn who attempt to eavesdrop on the celestial council of angels, a concept mentioned in Surah Jin (Ayat 8-9) and Saffat (Ayat 8). These jinn aim to steal information about future events or divine decrees, often to mislead humanity by mixing truth with falsehood when delivered through soothsayers ('Kaahin'). The article discusses various interpretations of what these 'projectiles' might be, ranging from 'balls of fire' from beneath the stars to 'cosmic rays,' considering scientific viewpoints on meteors. The ultimate purpose is to prevent jinn from corrupting divine messages, especially the Quran.

According to Qatadah, stars serve three main purposes: as ornaments for the sky, as projectiles against devils, and as guides for travelers. Any other purported use, such as astrology or fortune-telling (horoscopes), is considered a falsehood and a grave act of shirk (polytheism). The article warns against the widespread acceptance of horoscopes in modern society, particularly among Muslims who may unknowingly fall into polytheistic beliefs by trusting such predictions. The Quran's emphasis on utility and beauty in creation serves as a lesson for humans in crafting and presenting their work effectively.

Ayat 5 concludes by stating, "And We have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze." This refers to the severe torment awaiting the devils and, by extension, humans who behave like them by leading others astray from the truth. The term 'shaytan' (devil) is explained as a characteristic, not exclusively a species, applicable to both jinn and humans who promote falsehood. The use of 'a'tadna' (We have prepared) in the Arabic text emphasizes that this punishment is meticulously prearranged by Allah, tailored precisely for those who deserve it. The article also addresses the common misconception about how jinn, being created from fire, can be tormented by hellfire. It clarifies that Allah is fully capable of devising a torment suitable for them, and that the hellfire ('sa'ir') is an intense, ever-increasing blaze, unlike any ordinary fire.