Tafsir of Al-Mursalat 77:8

Surah Al-Mursalat (The Emissaries): Verse 8

فَإِذَا النُّجُومُ طُمِسَتْ (8) Then when the stars are obliterated (or their light is extinguished).

We have previously explained the meaning of ṭams (obliteration/erasure) in the commentary on the verse: {Our Lord, obliterate their wealth} (Surah Yunus, 10:88).

In summary, there are two possibilities for the meaning of ṭumist (are obliterated):

1. Their very essence is destroyed (محقت ذواتها): This aligns with the descriptions: {And when the stars are scattered} (Al-Infitar, 82:2) and {And when the stars are dispersed} (At-Takwir, 81:2).
2. Their light is erased (محقت أنوارها):

The first interpretation (destruction of essence) is preferable because it does not require assuming an implied meaning (iḍmār). However, it is also possible that their light is erased first, and then they are scattered while being devoid of light.

وَإِذَا السَّمَاءُ فُرِجَتْ (9) And when the sky is rent asunder (or split open).