Another sign that will precede the Day of Reckoning will be extinguishing of light of the sun, moon and the stars. The Qura’n in verses 1 and 2 of Surah Takwir says:

“When the sun is folded up and when the stars fall losing their luster.”

The origin of “Kuwarrat” is “Takwir” which means to bind something or to gather, like binding the turban on the head. This word is often used to denote the failing of light or darkness and both the meanings are a must for the sun because the sun is shrinking and will be going to stage where it will burn no more.

The word “Ankadarat” is derived from “Ankadaar” which means darkness or inertia or dissipation. Both these meaning are the best for the stars.

According to the Qura’n the object that sheds light in our system will finally extinguish and die out and the rest of the stars too will meet the same fate.

Fakhruddin Razi says: “Some people consider the word “Kuwar” to be the origin of Kuwirrat which means blind and this also can be used for describing a darkened sun. (1)

The scientists of today believe that the energy of the sun that spreads through out our system is because of the combustion of the core element of atom and the fuels are hydrogen and Helium. (2)

This is why this star loses a weight of approximately 350 million tons every 24 hours. This will lead to the sun becoming smaller and losing its light and this is spoken about as the gathering of the sun and the extinguishing of its light. These are the two meanings that the linguists derive from the origin of the word “Takwir”. Under the present conditions this loss of weight does not affect it greatly.

If the loss of weight mentioned above continues then this event may take some million of years to appear but no body is aware of the future conditions of this solar system. So it is possible that such events and conditions may occur in the future that increase the speed of this loss of weight and a spiraling effect may lead to its contraction and the fading of its light.

The same is valid for the other heavenly objects.

The present system of the stars will be totally shattered. This means that the prevalent physical appearances and speed as balanced by the magnetic force will be no more and this may be what the Qura’n refers to in verse 2 of Surah Infitaar which says:

“And when the stars have fallen and scattered.” The explanation of this verse will come later.

Verses 7 to 10 of Surah Qiyamah say:

“So when the sight shall be dazed and the moon shall be eclipsed and the sun and moon will be joined together, on that day man will say, “Where to flee?”

We understand from these verses that the events will be sudden and not in slow stages or else there would be no sign of mankind left who may speak such words. (Reflect)

It is possible for the sun and moon to be folded up and this may be possible because of the sudden disappearance of the magnetic force between them which will force the moon to try and merge into its original source the sun.

We end this discussion with another quote from the Qura’n i.e. verse 8 of Surah Mursilaat that says:

“Then when the stars lose their light”

This des c r i p tion is compatible with the verse quoted earlier.

We would again like to remind the readers that such events and issues are still taking place in this universe but in a gradual stage. Their speed or occurrence will increase at the end of the world and it will come to end with terrible events. The life of this universe and this world will be over by the command of God.

1. Tafsir Kabeer vol.31 page 64

2. The life and death of the stars- page 92.