At-Takwir 81:20

<h2>The Explanation of the Words Al-Khunnas and Al-Kunnas</h2><p>Muslim recorded in his Sahih, and An-Nasa'i in his Book of Tafsir, in explaining this Ayah, from `Amr bin Hurayth that he said, "I prayed the Morning prayer behind the Prophet , and I heard him reciting,</p><p>فَلاَ أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ - الْجَوَارِ الْكُنَّسِ - وَالَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ - وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ</p><p>(But nay! I swear by Al-Khunnas, Al-Jawar Al-Kunnas, and by the night when it `As`as, and by the day when it Tanaffas.)" Ibn Jarir recorded from Khalid bin `Ar`arah that he heard `Ali being asked about the Ayah; (لَا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ. الْجَوَارِ الْكُنَّسِ) (Nay! I swear by Al-Khunnas, Al-Jawar Al-Kunnas.) and he said, "These are the stars that withdraw (disappear) during the day and sweep across the sky (appear) at night." Concerning Allah's statement,</p><p>وَالَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ</p><p>(And by the night when it `As`as.) There are two opinions about this statement. One of them is that this refers to its advancing with its darkness. Mujahid said, "It means its darkening." Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "When it begins." Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, "When it covers the people." This was also said by `Atiyah Al-`Awfi. `Ali bin Abi Talhah and Al-`Awfi both reported from Ibn `Abbas:</p><p>إِذَا عَسْعَسَ</p><p>(when it `As`as) …

Mighty, established in the presence of the Lord of the Throne,

Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne,

Owner of power, and high rank with (Allah) the Lord of the Throne,

Endowed with power, eminent with the Lord of the Throne.