Transliteration:( Faqadaahunna sab'a samaawaatin fee yawmaini wa awhaa fee kulli samaaa'in amarahaa; wa zaiyannassa maaa'ad dunyaa bimasaabeeha wa hifzaa; zaalika taqdeerul 'Azeezil 'Aleem )
So, He ordained them into seven heavens in two [28] days and inspired each heaven with its own mandate [29]. And We adorned the lower heaven with glittering [30] stars and guards [31]. This is the regulation of the Most Honourable, the All-Knowing [32].
The seven heavens were completed over two days—namely, Thursday and Friday—making the total six days of creation.
It is noteworthy that Saturday was not used, emphasizing that Allah is above fatigue and does not require rest, unlike the false claims of earlier scriptures.
Allah assigned specific responsibilities to each heaven and its angels.
Some angels are forever standing, others in Ruku (bowing), some in Sajdah (prostration), and some in Qadah (sitting posture).
These acts form the heavenly equivalent of Salaah, although angels do not earn reward for them—it is their innate creational duty, not one based on obligation or trial.
Each heaven also governs a specific function:
One brings light, another sustenance, another death, etc.
This entire system is a creational order, not one involving accountability like that of human beings.
The “lower heaven” refers to the first heaven, and the “lamps” are the stars placed therein by Allah’s command, for beauty and purpose.
The stars serve as guards against devils, preventing them from accessing the heavenly realm and eavesdropping on divine decrees.
This clearly shows that it is not permissible to use stars for astrological predictions or seeking unseen knowledge.
When the stars eventually disappear, it will mark the breaking of the heavens, as indicated in the Qur’an.
As a point of reflection, the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ and the pious scholars (Ulama) are called the “stars of the earth”—guiding humanity just as celestial stars guide travelers.
The phrase emphasizes that all of this is part of the perfect, wise system of the Most Honourable (Al-‘Azeez) and the All-Knowing (Al-‘Aleem).
Behind every command and creation lie thousands of divine wisdoms, even if human understanding cannot always grasp them.
The tafsir of Surah Fussilat verse 12 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Fussilat ayat 9 which provides the complete commentary from verse 9 through 12.
(41:12) Then He made them seven heavens in two days and revealed to each heaven its law. And We adorned the lower heaven with lamps, and firmly secured it.[16] All this is the firm plan of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.
16. To understand these verses well, it would be useful to study the following portions of the Tafheem al-Quran: (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 29); (Surah Ar-Raad, Ayat 2); (Surah Al-Hijr, Ayats 16-18); (Surah Al-Anbiya, Ayats 30-33); (Surah Al-Hajj, Ayat 65); (Surah Al-Muminun, Ayat 17); (Surah YaSeen, ayat 40) note 37, and (Surah As-Saaffat, ayat 6-11) note 5-9.” 1
[1387]- From the devils who attempt to steal information from the angels.
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