تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجًا وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَٰجًا وَقَمَرًا مُّنِيرًا
15:17; 85:2.
Important Words:
بروجاً (mansions) is the plural of برج (burj) which is derived from the verb برج (baraja) which means, it was or became apparent, manifest or conspicuous; or it was or became high or elevated. برج (burj) means, a tower; a sign of the Zodiac. بروج means, mansions (i.e. the courses or stages) of the moon or the stars, or constellations or asterisms (Lane). See also 15:17.
Commentary:
The verse constitutes an answer to the query of disbelievers mentioned in the preceding verse, viz. "And Who is the Gracious God?" It means to say that the Gracious God is "He Who has made mansions in the heavens and has placed therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light." As the Divine attribute "Gracious" is intimately connected with the creation of the universe and the revelation of the Quran and as the present verse points to the creation of the physical firmament and by implication to the spiritual firmament, it forms an appropriate answer to the impudent query of the disbelievers.
By alluding to the creation of the heavens, the sun, the moon and the stars that embellish and beautify them, the verse draws attention to the spiritual heaven which has its own sun, moon and stars. The Holy Prophet is the Sun of the spiritual firmament, the Promised Messiah is the Moon and the Holy Prophet’s Companions and the learned and righteous savants among his followers are the stars of this spiritual firmament. The Promised Messiah borrowed his spiritual light from the Holy Prophet. About his Companions the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: "My Companions are like stars, whomsoever of them you will follow, you will get right guidance" (Razin).
15:17; 85:2.
By alluding to the creation of the heavens, and the sun, the moon and the stars that embellish and beautify them, the verse draws attention to the spiritual heaven which has its own sun, moon and stars—the Holy Prophet, the Promised Messiah and the Companions of the Holy Prophet about whom he is reported to have said: 'My Companions are like so many stars, whomsoever of them you will follow, you will get right guidance' (Razin).