Tafsir of Verse 38 Surah Ya Sin required

[a learner]

Salam, peace to you all. 

“And the sun runs on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.”   36:38

What does it mean by the sun going to its “resting place” ?  Does this hint at the period of night, or maybe in some way to the rotation of earth around axis when it is turned away from sun ?  Pls clarify.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Walaykum As-Salam.

No, it does not refer to the time of night nor the rotation turning a portion of earth away from the sun. 

The reference is much the same as in Verse 39:5 of Surah Az-Zumar which we recently discussed at length. The sun moving to its “resting place” means approaching its end ..  as Allah has stated in V.39:5 that both the sun and the moon have a specific lifespan, that is, He has created them to last for an appointed period of time or a fixed period of time.  Thus V.36:38 alludes to the fact that the sun is doing its work until its appointed time (or until its end). 

The translation you quoted is by M. M. Pickthall.  Pickthall's partial translation of this Verse is not too accurate.  He has translated the original Arabic word of V.36:38 “limus'taqarrin” as resting-place.  This translation is a bit far fetched and can be misleading for many readers particularly those with little or no knowledge of Arabic language  & grammar.

“limus'taqarrin” (لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ) in simple terms means a time appointed (that is, end of its lifespan).  It can also indirectly be explained as a stopping point or a stability point, both of which refer to something being non-functional. 

For this Verse the translations of International sahih, Yusuf Ali and Muhsin Ali are clearer and a lot easier to grasp.

“And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.”   36:38  Surah Ya Sin
(Translation International sahih)

“And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing.”   36:38
(Translation Yusuf Ali)

“And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.”   36:38
(Translation Mohsin Ali)


Also, for best clarification I am posting as follows the word-by-word translation from original Arabic to English of Verse 36:38.

wal-shamsu  =  And the sun
tajrī   =  runs
limus'taqarrin  =  to a term appointed 
lahā = for it.
Dhālika  =  That
taqdīru =  (is the) Decree
l-ʿazīzi  =  The Mighty,
l-ʿalīmi  =  The All-Knowing.

[a learner]

I see it.  Thank u very much for this very educative presentation for clarification.

[Amina Rahmani]

Big thanks also from me, i was also looking for tafseer of this verse

[Ruhi_Rose]

Welcome to all ..

[Salama]

Very happy to read this intelligent tafsir.  I will save and keep it.  I have seen hate filled non-Muslims making fun of this verse with mockery that Quran says the sun sleep at night. 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

They are very capable of such talk as they are a very brainless lot.  Lost in their animosity, they have said good-bye to every bit of their common sense.  This Verse means the opposite  of what they presume.  In preceding Verse 36:37 Allah Almighty has already stated that night and day alternate each other and as soon as night arrives, people are in darkness (who reside on that side of the globe).  This is the result of earth's rotation around its axis.  But regardless of earth's rotation, the sun keeps moving toward its stopping point, that is, with the passing of every minute, every day, the sun comes closer to its appointed term. 

I agree with Sister Ruhi, "resting place" is not an accurate translation of the original Arabic, limus'taqarrin.

[Salama]

JazekAllah khairan