53: The Star
This chapter was revealed after
Sincerity (or [God's] Oneness) 112, and before
He Frowned! 80. It consists of
three sections !0ntalning a total of 62 early
Meccan verses, except for v. 32 which dates from Madina. The star referred
to is
variously stated to be either the morning and evening star which is called
Venus
in Western terminology, or else the dogstar or Sirius mentioned in iii,
or perhaps
the cluster of the Pleiades.
This chapter too is mystical and soaring in spirit, for it concerns the
Mi'raj! or
Ascension of the Prophet which is also described at the beginning of The
Night
Journey 17 (I). The first section announces Muhammad's call to prophethood
and explains how intercession is of no avail; while the second emphasizes
that
God is Just. The complete vision is superb and should be studied carefully
for
inspiration.