4إِن هُوَ إِلّا وَحيٌ يوحىٰAli UnalThat (which he conveys to you) is but a Revelation that is revealed to him.1As mentioned in the introductory words about this sūrah above, God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, recited it in its entirety to both the believers and the polytheists at the Ka’bah. The polytheists were trying to find excuses for their rejection of the Qur’ān and the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and discussing how they should brand them. So the verses remove all the doubts and confusion that they were trying to form around the Divine origin of the Qur’ān and the Messengership of the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. In many verses God swears by objects in the universe. This sūrah begins with an oath by the star. This has many implications. By the star, it refers to all celestial objects and, by swearing by it when it goes down, it implies that no celestial object can be a deity to worship (See 6: 76, note 16). As is known, the Makkan polytheists also worshipped some celestial objects, including, in particular, the star of Sirius (verse 49 in this sūrah). It also implies that, since the time when the star goes down is the time when day breaks, the day or sun of truth (Islam) is about to rise. The Ascension of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, some aspects of which are mentioned in this sūrah, may also be symbolized by this. The word translated as star also means passage, and according to some, it also refers to the Qur’ān’s being revealed in passages. So the verse means, By the passage (of the Qur’ān) when it goes down (is sent down).