From the dawn of humankind, people have gazed up at and wondered about the stars. The night sky was not simply a decoration. It was a guide, a calendar, and a generator of meaning. Ancient people believed stars contained hidden indications about life. Many of those beliefs still echo in our minds today.
1. Stars as Maps of Destiny
Many ancient cultures associated stars with destiny. The Babylonians, for instance, produced one of the earliest star charts. Also interesting is that modern psychology supports this. Researchers at the University of London found that humans perceive meaning in patterns. This natural inclination helps people relate to stars as destiny maps.
Did you know? The oldest horoscope dates as far back as 410 B.C., later inscribed on a Babylonian tablet!
An actual example is the desert Arabs who were alive prior to Islam. They used stars to navigate. After Islam, desert Arabs changed from engaging in astrology to astronomy, seeing stars as signs, not prophets of outcomes.
2. Stars as Guides for Navigation
Long ago, sailors and travelers relied on stars for guidance. The North Star was particularly significant. It almost stays still in the night sky. Because of that, caravans and sailors could use it for calm guidance.
We still use the term “guiding star” as a phrase today. The words capture that ancient idea. Current scientific knowledge gives confirmation of the stars’ dependability. A study on astronomy that examined the North Star found that it is less than one degree from true north. That degree of accuracy explains the importance it played as a guide for the ages.
Fun Fact! Polynesian navigators crossed thousands of ocean miles using only star maps in their heads.
A real-world case study is there in the story of Ibn Battuta. The famous Muslim explorer depended on the stars to navigate across deserts and oceans. Star navigation would have made his travels (and their range) impossible.
Read more: How Ancient Sky-Gazers Changed Us
3. Stars as Messengers of Time
In ancient cultures, the stars served as indicators of the seasons. Egyptians, for instance, were particularly aware of Sirius. They paid attention to its rising; when it rose, so did the Nile’s water, making yearly flooding predictable and a definitive cause of fertility, both human and agricultural. There are similar examples with ancient Native Americans who used constellations to inform them when to plant crops.
Did you catch this? The Mayans even constructed pyramids to align with certain star risings during the year!
The Qur’an also reminds us that the stars and the moon are signs indicating time; Allah says, “It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases that you may know the number of years and account of time.” (Qur’an 10:5).
When we consider the correspondence between astronomical time and observing spiritual time, as a case study, Muslims all over the world still define Ramadan by lunar cycles, with a crescent moon deciding when a day begins and ends with fasting. This observation also demonstrates how ancient beliefs associated with star time persist in our spiritual lives today.
4. Stars as Symbols of Hope
Even as we carry the burdens of life, we still say, “Look to the stars.” The stars and the shimmering lights they provide can instill hope and possibilities. Neuroscience tells us this. Harvard researchers recently found that looking at stars led to less stress and more mental calmness.
Did you know? Some astronauts said that looking at the stars was the most spiritual thing they had ever witnessed.
Islam uses stars in metaphorical ways to represent light, which illuminates dark times. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated that “My companions are like stars. Whichever one of them you follow, you will be guided.” (Hadith). Because of this, stars became symbols of guidance and hope for Muslims.
A very real example of this is during the night journey (Isra & Mi’raj). The Prophet ﷺ was taken on a journey through the heavens. He witnessed a heaven filled with stars, which was a timeless reminder for Muslims of the hope that exists outside the plight of this world.
5. Stars as Watchers of Our Action
In ancient times, many people believed that stars witnessed the actions of humans. Greeks thought that gods put heroes in the heavens as stars to observe mankind, and Persians thought stars carried messages from divine beings above.
Even today, many cultures reference stars in poetry as silent observers of secrets. Modern psychology attributes this to projection. Humans project emotion into nature and create characters and stories with stars.
Did you know? Shakespeare mentioned stars over a hundred times in his works, and referenced stars as something tied to destiny and as a witness.
But Islam teaches that stars do not watch actions. Only Allah! For sure, stars also testify to His magnificence! Allah says: “Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create as much as a fly…” (Qur’an 22:73).
A case of this in action can be found in Islamic architecture. Mosques sometimes have a star pattern that is not for the purpose of being a divine witness, but instead to remind people of the vastness of Allah. The patterns can link the believer’s heart to the heavens during the prayer ritual.
6. Stars as Portals to the Soul
Lastly, ancient peoples believed that stars were portals connecting the souls of humans with the cosmos. Plato called the soul “a star fallen into a body,” and the Indians thought of the Atman, or human soul, as shining like a star. Later Sufi writers described the heart as a mirror of starlight.
This idea of stars has contemporary relevance in psychology and spirituality. And astrophysics today shows us that we are made of “stardust.” The elements, such as iron and calcium, that made us were created in the fiery brilliance of some stars. These modern scientific observations and recognitions enliven and deepen ancient spiritual beliefs.
Did you also know that about 97% of the atoms in your body were formed in a star ages ago?
Islamic thought expresses our cosmic connection, too. Allah says: “Indeed, I swear by the locations of the stars – and indeed, it is a great oath if you could but know!” Qur’an 56:75-76). The power of the oath illustrates the spiritual and scientific influence of the stars.
Conclusion
For thousands of years, stars have inspired the human experience. They have guided us, created expectations, and established time markers. The Qur’an claims they are markers of Allah’s wisdom, as well as reminders of His power and guidance. They can also be reminders that stars influence the internal rhythms of our bodies and feelings, including our circadian rhythms. Observing the stars is, in one sense, belong both poetic and purely human.
Next time you observe the night sky, remember you are not only looking at stars, but rather symbols that have compelled human thought from many cultures and are present within us still.
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