The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
By oath of the beloved shining star Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him), when he returned from the Ascent. 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, 7 He (Gabriel) then came nearer and nearer. 8 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer, 9 And He revealed to His servant what He revealed. 10 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw. 11 Are you, then, going to contend with him regarding what he sees with his eyes? 12 He certainly saw him (Gabriel) during his other ascent 13 Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: 14 by the Garden of [Eternal] Repose, 15 (This was) when the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it. 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs). 19 And subsequently the third, the Manat? 20 What, have you males, and He females? 21 That indeed is an unfair division -- 22 These are only names given by yourselves and your fathers. God has not given them any authority. They, (unbelievers), only follow mere conjecture and the desires of their souls, even though guidance has already come to them from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have whatever he fancies? 24 To Allah belong both the Next World and the present. 25