Latter Day Signs in the Holy Quran
The word:
meaning stars, signifies religious ulema. The well-known hadith:
i.e. My Companions are like stars, whomsoever you will follow, you will receive right guidance (Baihaqi), supports this meaning. In this sense of the word, the verse means: “When religious leaders become corrupt, and cease to exercise any influence.”
Literally, the verse means: “When stars fall in large numbers.” This may be a reference to the falling of stars in exceptionally large numbers in 1885 when the Promised Messiah, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, had already announced his claim to be a Divine Reformer.
(The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Commentary, 81:3)