وَالنَّجْمُ وَالشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ
“And the star (or stalkless plants) and the tree fall (or will fall) in humility”
Derived from the verb نَجَمَ “to emerge,” النَّجْم is understood as low vegetation without a vertical stem or trunk.
النَّجْم is also understood as “the star,” and has been taken in the plural sense as “stars.”
Both readings are part of the classical discussion and inform the verse’s imagery.
From سجَدَ and سجُود, sujood in Islamic law denotes placing one’s forehead on the ground. In Arabic usage, the root extends to humility, lowering, submission, and obedience.
Thus, the Najm and the tree are characterized by humble submission and lowering.
The previous verse mentioned the sun and the moon — the elevated realm.
النَّجْم (stemless plants / the star) and الشَّجَر (trees) — the earthly realm.
As Al‑Aalousiy notes: the high and the low alike are in submission to the command أَمْر of Allah.
Their sujood is that they face the sun when it rises, then decline with it until the shadow diminishes.
Their submission (خُضُوع) to Allah and their emergence from the ground.
Connection with وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ — “And the star when it falls/descends” in the context where one meaning of سُجُود is to be lowered.
Surah An‑Najm mentions النَّجْم, Al‑Qamar mentions القَمَر, and here both are mentioned along with الشَّمْس.
The word signifies humility, lowering oneself, and obedience — a state creation adopts before Allah. When understood with النَّجْم as stalkless plants or as stars, and الشَّجَر as trees, the verse depicts nature’s submission through its forms and motions.
Stars were of major interest and importance. Trees were rarer and sources of wonder and sustenance. The message: that which is regarded as beautiful and important in sky and earth is in a state of humility and submissiveness to Allah.
Stemless plants (emerging from the ground) or star(s) — both legitimate, enriching the imagery.
From ritual prostration to broad humility and obedience expressed in nature.
Sun and moon above; Najm and trees below — all under Allah’s command.
Facing the sun and diminishing shadows; emergence and khudoo’ — lenses on the verse’s sujood.