Tafseer of The Star · An-Najm · 53:17
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The explanation of the saying of the Exalted: مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى (The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress) (17)
He, exalted is His mention, says: the sight of Muḥammad did not swerve, neither to the right nor to the left, from what he saw; that is to say: nor did he go beyond what he had been commanded, by no means. He says: he did not rise above the limit that had been set for him.
And in accordance with what we have said about this, the people of interpretation (ahl al-taʾwīl) have spoken.
* Mention of those who said that:
Ibn Bashshār related to us, saying: Abū Aḥmad al-Zubayrī related to us, saying: Sufyān related to us, on the authority of Manṣūr, on the authority of Muslim al-Baṭīn, on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās, concerning His saying ( The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress ) he said: he did not swerve to the right nor to the left, and he did not transgress, and he did not exceed what he had been commanded.
Ibn Ḥumayd related to us, saying: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Mūsā ibn ʿUbayda, on the authority of Muḥammad ibn Kaʿb al-Quraẓī ( The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress ) he said: he saw Jibrāʾīl in the form of the angel.
He said: Mihrān related to us, on the authority of Sufyān, on the authority of Manṣūr, on the authority of Muslim al-Baṭīn, on the authority of Ibn ʿAbbās ( The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress ) he said: "did not swerve": he did not go to the right nor to the left, and "did not transgress": he did not exceed.
