Tafsir of An-Najm 53:16

(When that which covers covers the Lote Tree.) The phrase "that which covers the Lote Tree" is connected to [the verb] "he saw." It has also been said that it is connected to what follows from the negated sentence, and its precedence over the negative particle "ma" causes no harm due to the latitude allowed for adverbial phrases.

"Ghashy" means covering and veiling, from which the word ghawashi (coverings) is derived; or it means coming/approaching, as one says, "Such-and-such a person yaghsha (visits) Zayd every so often," meaning he comes to him. The former is more appropriate for this context. In the ambiguity of "that which covers," there is a grandeur that is not hidden; it is as if that which covers it is a matter that the scope of exposition cannot encompass, and the sleeves of the intellect cannot contain.

The present tense form is used to narrate the past state, in order to evoke its wondrous image. It is also permitted that it indicates the continuity of the covering by way of renewal.

In some traditions, this "covering" has been specified. According to al-Hasan, it was covered by the Light of the Lord of Might, exalted be His Majesty, so it became luminous. Similar to this is what was narrated from Abu Hurayrah: "It is covered by the light of the Creator, glory be to Him." From Ibn Abbas: "It was covered by the Lord of Might, عز وجل," and this belongs to the category of the ambiguous (mutashabih).

Ibn Mas’ud, Mujahid, and Ibrahim said: "It is covered by locusts of gold." It was narrated from Mujahid that this refers to the transformation of its branches into pearls, rubies, and chrysolite.

‘Abd ibn Humayd narrated from Salamah that he said: The angels asked the Lord, blessed and exalted be He, for permission to look upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so He granted them permission, and the angels covered the Lote Tree to look at him, upon him be blessings and peace. In a hadith: "I saw on every leaf of its leaves an angel standing, glorifying Allah the Exalted."

It was also said: "It is covered by a rafraf (a screen/canopy) of green birds." The ambiguity in all of these is according to what has been previously mentioned.