Surah At-Tariq:
The term “At-Tariq” is an Arabic word that generally means “the night comer” or “the one who comes at night.” it refers to the morning star or a star that appears at night and “knocks” at the doors of the heavens with its light
Surah At-Tariq is the 86th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 17 verses. The word “At-Tariq” is derived from the Arabic root “T-R-Q,” which means to strike or knock.
Quranic Verse in Arabic:
وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ
النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ
Transliteration:
Wa al-samā’i wa al-ṭāriq, Wa mā adrāka mā al-ṭāriq, Al-najmu al-thāqib.
English Translation:
“By the sky and the night-comer! And what will make you know what the night-comer is? It is the piercing star.”
The “Piercing Star” and Modern Science
The description of At-Tariq as a “piercing star” (النجم الثاقب, al-najmu al-thāqib) refers to the morning star or a star that appears at night and “knocks” at the doors of the heavens with its light.
A pulsar is a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation out of its magnetic poles. As the pulsar rotates, these beams sweep across the earth, creating a “pulsing” effect that can be detected as regular intervals of sound or radio waves. This pulsating sound resembles a “knocking” or “striking,” which aligns closely with the meaning of the word “Tariq.”
Moreover, the term “piercing star” could be a reference to the intense radiation emitted by pulsars, which can penetrate through the cosmos, much like a sharp and piercing light. The description in Surah At-Tariq, therefore, may be seen as an allusion to the phenomenon of pulsars, a concept that was unknown at the time of the Quran’s revelation.
The Sound of the Pulsar Neutron Star
The connection between Surah At-Tariq and the sound of a pulsar black hole has fascinated many. Scientists have recorded the sounds emitted by pulsars, which can be eerily reminiscent of a knocking or ticking sound. This sound is produced as the pulsar’s magnetic field interacts with the surrounding space, creating a rhythmic pattern that can be translated into audible sound.
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