Surah At-Takwir (The Overthrowing): Verse 17

"And [by] the night when it departs (or approaches)."

The Second Point: The place of God's oath is more fitting when it is greater and of a higher rank. Undoubtedly, the stars are of a higher rank than wild oxen.

The Third Point: (Al-Khunnas) is the plural of khānis (one that retreats/hides), or it is the plural of khansā’ or akhnas. The word khunnis (with a quiescent nūn) is derived from khunūs (retreating/hiding), and it is not said with a stressed nūn unless khunūs in the context of wild animals is also taken to mean their hiding in their lairs when they disappear from sight.

Regarding the Almighty's saying: {And the night when it departs (or approaches)}

The linguists mention that ‘as‘as is one of the words that have dual meanings (antonyms). It is said: ‘as‘as the night when it approaches (begins), and ‘as‘as when it departs (ends). They cited the following verse by Al-‘Ajaj to support its meaning of departing:

Abu ‘Ubaydah cited the following in the meaning of approaching:

! 7 < { And [by] the dawn when it breathes forth } . > 7 !