Tafsir of An-Najm 53:6

Surah An-Najm (The Star): Verse 6

ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَاسْتَوَىٰ (He is) possessed of strength, and established himself (in stature).

There are several interpretations regarding the meaning of {ذُو مِرَّةٍ}:

1. Possessed of Power/Strength (قوة).
2. Possessed of Perfection (كمال) in both intellect and religion.
3. Possessed of a magnificent appearance and awe (منظر وهيبة عظيمة).
4. Possessed of good character/disposition (خلق حسن).

Addressing a Potential Redundancy:

If we take the meaning to be "possessed of strength" (قوة), one might ask: Hasn't the text already established his strength in the preceding verse, {شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ} (Mighty in Strength) (An-Najm: 5)? Why mention strength again?

• Response 1 (As a Substitute/Emphasis): If the second phrase were a mere description following the first, this repetition would be inappropriate. However, if it functions as a substitute or clarification, it is permissible. It is as if the text meant: "His knowledge is possessed of strength, and He established Himself," omitting the explicit mention of Shadid al-Quwa (Mighty in Strength) in the second part. In this case, it implies: "His knowledge is possessed of great or complete strength." This is similar to the verse: {إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ * ذِي قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِي الْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ} (Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger, possessed of strength, established with the Owner of the Throne, secure) (At-Takwir: 19-20).

• Response 2 (Additional Strength): The specific mention of strength here might indicate that while his known powers are intense (as stated in the previous verse), he possesses another strength specifically granted to him by God that is not widely known. This is analogous to saying, "So-and-so has much wealth," implying his visible wealth is great, but he also possesses hidden assets.

• Response 3 (Intensity in Being): We can interpret it as meaning: "He is possessed of intensity/severity (شدة) in his very essence." This addresses the possibility that someone might have intense powers but a physically small or weak body.

A Subtle Point (لطيفة):

It is suggested that {شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ} (Mighty in Strength) referred specifically to his knowledge (العلمية).

Then, {ذُو مِرَّةٍ} refers to the intensity/strength in his physical form (الجسمية). Thus, God mentioned the intellectual aspect first, followed by the physical aspect, just as He said: {وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ} (And He increased him in knowledge and stature) (Al-Baqarah: 247).

There are two main interpretations for {فَاسْتَوَىٰ}:

1. The famous interpretation is that it refers to Gabriel (Jibrīl), meaning Gabriel established himself in his form/stature.

وَهُوَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْأَعْلَىٰ And he was on the highest horizon.