Lord of the easts
In Surah As-Saffat, Allah declares Himself as Rabb-ul-Mashaariq i.e. Lord of the easts. Not sure why most translators have translated it as the Lord of the sunrises.
But if we stick to original Arabic then question arises east from where? is it east from the reader's perspective or east of Hijaz? Also, how many easts are there?
Next verse, except for Pickthall everyone translate kavakib as start. It says that stars are ornaments of the sky (nearest heaven), this also raises lot of questions about nature and function of the stars.
And then continue reading till verse number 10.
does this mean that stars are source of divine information?
Update: July 2, 2011
May be I have found my answer. In verse 88 of the same surah, Allah says that Prophet Ibrahim
http://quran.com/37/88
Most translators have translated that he glanced at or towards the stars though quran uses the term "fi" which should translate as "in." If we take it as "in" then it will mean that Prophet Ibrahim looked into the stars. Now Quran is not like a novel to be descriptive of the incident, so saying the sentence that he glanced in the stars must mean something. Next verse had him say that :
which to me, means that he looked into the stars and found out what the future had in store for him.
But if we stick to original Arabic then question arises east from where? is it east from the reader's perspective or east of Hijaz? Also, how many easts are there?
As-Saaffat
Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings. (5) Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets; (6)
سورة الصَّافات
وہ پروردگار ہے آسمانوں کا اور زمین کا اور جو کچھ ان کے درمیان میں ہے اور پروردگار ہے طلوع کرنے کے مواقع کا۔ (۵) ہم ہی نے رونق دی ہے اسی طرف والے آسمان کو عجیب آرائش یعنی ستاروں کے ساتھ۔ (۶)
Next verse, except for Pickthall everyone translate kavakib as start. It says that stars are ornaments of the sky (nearest heaven), this also raises lot of questions about nature and function of the stars.
And then continue reading till verse number 10.
With security from every froward devil. (7) They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side, (8) Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; (9) Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame. (10)
does this mean that stars are source of divine information?
Update: July 2, 2011
May be I have found my answer. In verse 88 of the same surah, Allah says that Prophet Ibrahim
http://quran.com/37/88
And he glanced a glance at the stars
Most translators have translated that he glanced at or towards the stars though quran uses the term "fi" which should translate as "in." If we take it as "in" then it will mean that Prophet Ibrahim looked into the stars. Now Quran is not like a novel to be descriptive of the incident, so saying the sentence that he glanced in the stars must mean something. Next verse had him say that :
And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."
which to me, means that he looked into the stars and found out what the future had in store for him.
Comments
stars are not source of Divine information, rather ONE of their functions is to guard against Jinn overhearing the Revelation when it descends down. Subtly, this piece of info serves as a warning to humans that even Jinn cannot pierce the first heaven, what about you..
http://forums.understanding-islam.com/showthread.php?11152-Djinn (5th post onwards..)