Kawkaba

2. Detailed Meaning of Kawkaba

Kawkabah is the grammatically feminine form of Kawkab and has a similar meaning of “planet” and “star“, any bright celestial object in the sky (note that in the historical past astronomers did not know the difference between planets and stars, apart from the fact that planets moved to different places in the sky, while stars remained unmoving). According to the scholar Al-Azhariو Kawkabah was used by the Arabs to refer to the planet Venus.

And thus We showed Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith]. So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “I do not like those that disappear.” And when he saw the moon rising, he said, “This is my lord.” But when it set, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray.” (6:75-77)

We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Quran although you were, before it, among the unaware. [Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, “O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me.” He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to mankind, is a manifest enemy.” (12:3-5)

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things. (33:35)