Verse 3
The Overthrowing • makkah
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Commentary:
The word النجوم meaning stars, signifies religious ulema. The well-known hadith أصحابی کالنجوم بأیھم اقتدیتم اھتدیتم i.e. My Companions are like stars, whomsoever you will follow, you will receive right guidance (Baihaqi), supports this meaning. In this sense of the word, the verse means: "When religious leaders become corrupt, and cease to exercise any influence." Literally, the verse means: "When stars fall in large numbers." This may be a reference to the falling of stars in exceptionally large numbers in 1885 when the Promised Messiah, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, had already announced his claim to be a Divine Reformer.
An-Nujum (stars) signifies religious Ulema. This meaning is supported by a well-known saying of the Holy Prophet: 'My Companions are like stars, whomsoever you will follow, you will receive right guidance' (Baihaqi). So the verse may mean: When religious leaders will become corrupt and will cease to exercise any influence. The reference may also be to the falling of the stars in exceptionally large numbers in the time of a Divine Reformer.